BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Friday 20 March 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—20/03/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  A History of Mystery by Cal Flyn—Mysterious Girl
  4/5On her journey around mystery, writer Cal Flyn confronts the divine feminine.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—20/03/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—20/03/2026
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—20/03/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—20/03/2026
  News, views and features on yesterday's stories in Parliament
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—20/03/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—20/03/2026
  A reflection and prayer to start the day with Father Martin Magill
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—20/03/2026
  The latest news about food, farming and the countryside.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—20/03/2026
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  Desert Island Discs—15/03/2026
  Lauren Laverne invites her castaway guests to share the soundtrack of their lives.
3. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—20/03/2026
  Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
4. 11:00
  The Food Programme—Heavy Times: How Britain Gained Weight
  Dan Saladino talks to nutrition expert Susan Jebb on why the UK struggles with obesity.
5. 11:45
  A History of Mystery by Cal Flyn—Cosy Mysteries
  5/5Cal Flyn's journey around mystery nears an end as the writer explores crime fiction.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—20/03/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  Rare Earth—20/03/2026
  Tom Heap and Helen Czerski dig deeper into the biggest environmental issues on the planet.
3. 12:57
  Weather—20/03/2026
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  World at One—20/03/2026
  News, analysis and comment from BBC Radio 4
5. 13:45
  The Race to Control the World—5: The Energy Schism
  5/5As AI becomes increasingly power thirsty, who's leading the pivotal energy race?
6. 14:00
  The Archers—19/03/2026
  Esme gets an important message.
7. 14:15
  Limelight—The Dentist, Episode 4
  As Kerry digs deeper into her deception, she uncovers a criminal underworld.
8. 14:45
  Life Without—Life Without Sex
  Gen Z are famously having less of it. Do we even need it all?
9. 15:00
  Gardeners' Question Time—20/03/2026
  Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts.
10. 15:45
  Short Works—20/03/2026
  A specially-commissioned short story for radio.
11. 16:00
  Last Word—20/03/2026
  Radio 4's weekly obituary programme
12. 16:30
  Sideways—18/03/2026
  Matthew Syed explores the ideas that shape our lives, making us see the world differently.
13. 17:00
  PM—20/03/2026
  News and current affairs, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—20/03/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 18:30
  The Naked Week—Series 4, Episode 3
  3/6Andrew Hunter Murray and Jon Holmes return with a bold, audacious take on the week's news.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—20/03/2026
  Brian tries to cut a deal.
4. 19:15
  Add to Playlist—Anne Dudley and Guy Barker
  Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe explore the rich web of connections in music.
5. 20:00
  Any Questions?—20/03/2026
  Topical discussion posing questions to a panel of political and media personalities.
6. 20:55
  This Week in History—March 16th to March 22nd
  Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
7. 21:00
  Free Thinking—Oral tradition and oracy
  Anne McElvoy and guests look at speaking fluently in politics, the classroom & communities
8. 22:00
  The World Tonight—20/03/2026
  In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspective
9. 22:45
  Banshee—Diarmuid and Gráinne by Megan Nolan
  A contemporary retelling of the legend of the doomed young couple.
10. 23:00
  Americast—20/03/2026
  Join Americast for insights and analysis on what's happening inside Trump's White House.
11. 23:30
  Today in Parliament—20/03/2026
  News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—21/03/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  A History of Mystery by Cal Flyn—Cosy Mysteries
  5/5Cal Flyn's journey around mystery nears an end as the writer explores crime fiction.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—21/03/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—21/03/2026
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
5. 05:30
  News Summary—21/03/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—21/03/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
7. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—21/03/2026
  Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection
8. 05:45
  Lent Talks—Power and Vulnerability
  A series of personal reflections on power.

Saturday 21 March 2026