BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Friday 1 May 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—01/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  To the Edge of the World by Tilar J Mazzeo—Episode 4
  4/51856: At just 19 years old, Mary Ann Patten captains a merchant clipper ship.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—01/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—01/05/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—01/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—01/05/2026
  News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—01/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—01/05/2026
  Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—01/05/2026
  The latest news about food, farming and the countryside.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—01/05/2026
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  The Reunion—The Big Issue
  Kirsty Wark reunites the team behind The Big Issue - a magazine to help the homeless.
3. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—01/05/2026
  Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
4. 11:00
  The Food Programme—Food Stories of Roots and Roads
  Dan Saladino hears stories from Parabere Forum, a gathering of chefs and storytellers.
5. 11:45
  To the Edge of the World by Tilar J Mazzeo—Episode 5
  5/51856. Mary Ann Patten becomes the first woman to captain a merchant clipper ship.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—01/05/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  AntiSocial—01/05/2026
  Peace talks for the culture wars.
3. 12:57
  Weather—01/05/2026
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  World at One—01/05/2026
  News, analysis and comment from BBC Radio 4
5. 13:45
  Second-Hand Stories—Cath & The Painting
  5/5James Peak buys old things for Tony's antiques stall in Enfield Town, and hears stories...
6. 14:00
  The Archers—30/04/2026
  Contemporary drama in a rural setting.
7. 14:15
  Limelight—Sabine, Episode 5
  5/5It’s a race against time for Elly to find Sabine’s killer and avert further tragedy.
8. 14:45
  The Hackers—Series 1, The Worm
  2/10Biella Coleman tells the story of the first global internet worm.
9. 15:00
  Gardeners' Question Time—01/05/2026
  Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts.
10. 15:45
  Short Works—Now That Summer's Coming by Deirdre Anna Rose Kelly
  On the 1st May, a classroom assistant in Belfast celebrates the beginning of the summer.
11. 16:00
  Last Word—01/05/2026
  Radio 4's weekly obituary programme
12. 16:30
  Life Changing—From gym workout to world champion
  Approaching 50, Anna Bailey tried out the gym - and discovered a world-beating talent.
13. 17:00
  PM—01/05/2026
  Full coverage of the day's news
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—01/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 18:30
  The News Quiz—Series 120, Episode 3
  3/8Andy and his panel quiz the week's news.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—01/05/2026
  Contemporary drama in a rural setting.
4. 19:15
  Screenshot—01/05/2026
  Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode guide us through the expanding universe of the moving image
5. 20:00
  Any Questions?—01/05/2026
  Topical discussion posing questions to a panel of political and media personalities
6. 20:55
  This Week in History—April 27th to May 3rd
  Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
7. 21:00
  Free Thinking—Weapons and weaponisation
  Matthew Sweet's guests include Renaissance historian Catherine Fletcher and
8. 22:00
  The World Tonight—01/05/2026
  In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspective
9. 22:45
  The Prisoner by Sally Carson—Episode 5
  5/10The sequel to Sally Carson’s rediscovered masterpiece Crooked Cross.
10. 23:00
  Americast—01/05/2026
  Join Americast for insights and analysis on what's happening inside Trump's White House.
11. 23:30
  Today in Parliament—01/05/2026
  News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—02/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  To the Edge of the World by Tilar J Mazzeo—Episode 5
  5/51856. Mary Ann Patten becomes the first woman to captain a merchant clipper ship.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—02/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—02/05/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:30
  News Summary—02/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—02/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—02/05/2026
  Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection
8. 05:45
  The Hackers—Series 1, The Worm
  2/10Biella Coleman tells the story of the first global internet worm.

Saturday 2 May 2026