BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Saturday 17 January 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—17/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Piccadilly—Settled
  5/5A story of five men, who experienced double diaspora, from India to East Africa to the UK.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—17/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—17/01/2026
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
5. 05:30
  News Summary—17/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—17/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
7. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Fearfully and wonderfully made
  A reflection and prayer to start the day with Andrew Roycroft.
8. 05:45
  Materials of State—The Sword of State
  David Cannadine looks at the history and symbolism of the Sword of State.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  News and Papers—17/01/2026
  The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers.
2. 06:07
  Ramblings—Adventurer Pom Oliver in the Low Weald
  Clare meets Pom Oliver, who takes her for a woodland wander near her home in West Sussex.
3. 06:30
  Farming Today—Environmental Regulation, Cheese, Storm Goretti
  Two reports have criticised the Government's performance on protecting the environment.
4. 06:57
  Weather—17/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  Today—17/01/2026
  Including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
6. 09:00
  Saturday Live—Keith Brymer Jones, Ornithology, Royal Stonemasonry, and the Inheritance Tracks of Mark Heap
  Keith Brymer Jones joins Adrian for extraordinary stories and remarkable people.
7. 10:00
  You're Dead to Me—Philippe, Duc d’Orléans: in the shadow of the Sun King
  Join Greg and his guests to learn all about Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, brother of Louis XIV.
8. 10:30
  Soul Music—Cranes in the Sky by Solange
  Solange's hit song from 2016 muses on themes of isolation and depression.
9. 11:00
  The Week in Westminster—17/01/2026
  Caroline Wheeler reports on the latest developments at Westminster.
10. 11:30
  From Our Own Correspondent—Greenlanders reject Trump's takeover plan
  Greenlanders hit back after Donald Trump's claim that the US needs to 'own' Greenland.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—17/01/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  Money Box—Energy Bill Battle and Restrictive Covenants
  The listener whose energy supplier ignored the ombudsman over a £1,700 bill.
3. 12:30
  The News Quiz—Series 119, 2. U-Turn, We Defect
  2/8Andy Zaltzman is back at the helm, ready to dive into the news.
4. 12:57
  Weather—17/01/2026
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  News—17/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 13:10
  Any Questions?—Mothin Ali, Lord Elliott, Kate Nicholls, Emily Thornberry MP
  Alex Forsyth presents political debate from Marsden in West Yorkshire.
7. 14:05
  Any Answers?—17/01/2026
  Listeners respond to the issues raised in the preceding edition of Any Questions?
8. 14:45
  The Archers—16/01/2026
  One resident faces a shocking truth.
9. 15:00
  Drama on 4—An Artificially Intelligent Guide to Love
  Experimental drama as a writer and an algorithm create an audio guide to love.
10. 16:00
  Woman's Hour—Weekend Woman's Hour: Kids and screen time, Nikki Lilly, The Traitors, Subpar relationships, Mia McKenna-Bruce
  How long should young children spend watching TV or looking at computer screens?
11. 17:00
  PM—Trump targets Europe with tariffs over Greenland
  UK among European states facing Trump's tariffs - unless Greenland becomes US territory.
12. 17:30
  Political Thinking with Nick Robinson—The union leader who agrees with the Tory leader: Daniel Kebede
  The National Education Union's general secretary on banning social media, strikes and race
13. 17:54
  Shipping Forecast—17/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  Weather—17/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—Trump threatens European allies with tariffs over Greenland deal
  President Trump warns European allies of 10% trade tariffs unless the US buys Greenland
2. 18:15
  Loose Ends—The Charlatans, Stuart Maconie, Jill Halfpenny, Ian Smith, Jess Robinson
  Stuart Maconie and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
3. 19:00
  Profile—Mette Frederiksen
  The Danish Prime Minister defending Greenland against Trump.
4. 19:15
  This Cultural Life—Annie Leibovitz
  American photographer Annie Leibovitz talks about her career and cultural influences.
5. 20:00
  Archive on 4—The Narrative Trap
  Philosopher Julian Baggini explores how stories shape and distort our world.
6. 21:00
  Human Intelligence—Series 2, Perfectionists
  Thinkers who searched for perfection weren’t always easy to work with.
7. 22:00
  News—17/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
8. 22:15
  The Food Programme—The Science of Fermentation
  Fermented foods are more popular than ever, but what's the science? Dan Saladino reports.
9. 23:00
  Dan Does Dating—Series 1, 1. Madeline
  1/4Can Dan get through a date without arguing?
10. 23:30
  Counterpoint—Series 39, Heat 2, 2026
  2/13The general knowledge music quiz chaired by Paul Gambaccini
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—18/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  Take Four Books—Makenna Goodman
  Makenna Goodman on her new novel, Helen of Nowhere, and its links to three other works.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—18/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—18/01/2026
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
5. 05:30
  News Summary—18/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—18/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
7. 05:43
  Bells on Sunday—The church of St Michael in Framlingham, Suffolk
  Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St Michael in Framlingham, Suffolk.
8. 05:45
  In Touch—Eye Tests for Driving, Sound Without Sight
  In Touch discusses proposals of compulsory eye tests for driving for the over 70s.

Sunday 18 January 2026