BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Sunday 18 January 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
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.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  News Summary—18/01/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 06:05
  Heart and Soul—Navigating faith on the road
  Faith on the road: Riding with Canada’s Sikh truckers.
3. 06:35
  On Your Farm—From wig to wellies
  The couple who gave up city life to run a busy social farm in Northern Ireland.
4. 06:57
  Weather—18/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  News and Papers—18/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 07:10
  Sunday—US Military Archbishop, Faith and Gen Z, 'Understanding British Imams' project
  A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week with Edward Stourton.
7. 07:54
  Radio 4 Appeal—The Benedetti Foundation
  Violinist Nicola Benedetti makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of The Benedetti Foundation.
8. 07:57
  Weather—18/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
9. 08:00
  News and Papers—18/01/2026
  The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers.
10. 08:10
  Sunday Worship—One Body, One Spirit
  A service for the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from Belfast.
11. 08:48
  Tweet of the Day—Horatio Clare on the Rook
  Horatio Clare has a message from the rooks, pointing out the ways they differ from crows.
12. 08:50
  In Other News—18/01/2026
  What's going right in the world.
13. 09:00
  Broadcasting House—Trump threatens UK businesses over Greenland
  Prime minister says the US is 'completely wrong' to threaten tariffs over Greenland.
14. 10:00
  Desert Island Discs—Adeel Akhtar, actor
  Adeel Akhtar, actor, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
15. 11:00
  The Archers Omnibus—18/01/2026
  Alice receives a surprising request, and one resident faces a shocking truth.
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Afternoon
1. 12:15
  Profile—Mette Frederiksen
  The Danish Prime Minister defending Greenland against Trump.
2. 12:30
  The Unbelievable Truth—Series 32, 4. Names, Rodents, Death and Chocolate
  4/6Comedians try to smuggle truths past opponents in David Mitchell's comedy panel game.
3. 12:57
  Weather—18/01/2026
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  The World This Weekend—President Trump wields tariffs on allies over Greenland
  We examine what threats from a long-time ally mean for international alliances.
5. 13:30
  Currently—Inside ARIA
  Evan Davis goes inside the UK’s ambitious new Advanced Research and Invention Agency.
6. 14:00
  Gardeners' Question Time—Clara Vale
  Kathy Clugston and the panel are in the Clara Vale.
7. 14:45
  Short Works—A New Way to Live by PT McAllister
  Kathleen learns that even after years of marriage, her husband John can still surprise her
8. 15:00
  Drama on 4—1776, Episode 2
  2/2Star-studded drama for the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.
9. 16:00
  Take Four Books—Rob Doyle
  The Irish writer on his new novel Cameo and its connections to three other literary works.
10. 16:30
  Counterpoint—Series 39, Heat 3, 2026
  3/13The general knowledge music quiz chaired by Paul Gambaccini.
11. 17:00
  Witness History—The remote island that was evacuated to 10,000km away
  On 10 October 1961, the population of Tristan da Cunha was evacuated to the UK
12. 17:10
  What Happened to Progress?—Global Visions
  From technology to the climate to the global order, has human progress gone into reverse?
13. 17:54
  Shipping Forecast—18/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  Weather—18/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—European countries voice opposition to Trump's tariff threat
  Denmark's PM says Europe will not be blackmailed over Greenland
2. 18:15
  Pick of the Week—Emma Freud
  Emma Freud presents a selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—18/01/2026
  Accusations fly in Ambridge.
4. 19:15
  Illuminated—The Metaphor Consultant
  The poet Jack Underwood offers his services as a metaphor consultant, for a reasonable fee
5. 19:45
  Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley—Learn a New Skill
  How picking up a new skill can lead to a sharper, clearer and happier mind.
6. 20:00
  Word of Mouth—Scouse
  Michael Rosen talks about Liverpool English with Professor Tony Crowley.
7. 20:30
  Last Word—Claudette Colvin, Ian Balding, Gerry Gable, Bob Weir, Juliet Robertson
  Matthew Bannister on a campaigner, a racehorse trainer, an activist and an educationalist.
8. 21:00
  Money Box—Energy Bill Battle and Restrictive Covenants
  The listener whose energy supplier ignored the ombudsman over a £1,700 bill.
9. 21:25
  Radio 4 Appeal—The Benedetti Foundation
  Violinist Nicola Benedetti makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of The Benedetti Foundation.
10. 21:30
  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.
11. 22:00
  Westminster Hour—The future of the political right
  Ben Wright and guests discuss Trump's tariffs and the latest Tory defection to Reform UK.
12. 23:00
  In Our Time—On Liberty
  John Stuart Mill's argument for the limits of power that society has over the individual.
13. 23:45
  Short Works—A Creature of Habit by Joanna Cannon
  In this specially commissioned short story Barbara decides to make a new start.
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—19/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  Crossing Continents—The Netherlands - ten new cities?
  The Netherlands is experiencing a housing crisis. Could ten new cities be the answer?
3. 00:45
  Bells on Sunday—The church of St Michael in Framlingham, Suffolk
  Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St Michael in Framlingham, Suffolk.
4. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—19/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
5. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—19/01/2026
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
6. 05:00
  News Summary—19/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—19/01/2026
  Alicia McCarthy reports from Westminster.
8. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—19/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
9. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Blue and Brew
  A reflection and prayer to start the day with Andrew Roycroft.
10. 05:45
  Farming Today—19/01/26 Mercosur trade deal between Europe and South America, winter feed.
  Warnings that Mercosur trade deal between Europe and South America threatens UK farms.
11. 05:57
  Weather—19/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers

Monday 19 January 2026