Schedule
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Early
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00:00
Midnight News—02/10/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
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00:30
Empire at the Edge of the World by Giles Milton—4. The Friendly Arctic
4/5 Stefansson turns bestselling author, selling the Arctic as a paradise ripe for settlement.
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00:48
Shipping Forecast—02/10/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
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01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—02/10/2026
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
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05:00
News Summary—02/10/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
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05:04
Rethink—Rethink: manufacturing or services?
Does "servitization" boost the economy?
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05:34
Shipping Forecast—02/10/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
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05:43
Prayer for the Day—Do weeks end on Friday?
A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Haydon Spenceley.
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05:45
Farming Today—02/10/26 Food industry climate whistleblowers, farm apprenticeships, Plaid Cymru conference
Whistleblowers warning of the food industry's 'illusion of resilience'.
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Morning
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06:00
Today—02/10/2026
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
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09:00
Desert Island Discs—Matt Haig, writer
Matt Haig, writer, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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10:00
Woman's Hour—Protests in Delhi, Retatrutide, The Farmer's Wife, Baby Loss
Farmer and author Helen Rebanks on a new play inspired by her memoir, The Farmer’s Wife.
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11:00
The Food Programme—The Food Innovators: 2026
Dan Saladino looks at big food ideas, from climate-friendly rice to a forest-saving yeast.
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11:45
Empire at the Edge of the World by Giles Milton—5. The Reckoning
5/5 Rescuer Harold Noice finally reaches Wrangel Island. Read by Edmund Kingsley.
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Afternoon
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12:00
News Summary—02/10/2026
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
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12:04
AntiSocial—Are we the baddies?
Peace talks for the culture wars, with Adam Fleming.
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12:57
Weather—02/10/2026
The latest weather forecast
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13:00
World at One—Live from the Green Party conference
Jonny Dymond asks what the Green Party is for.
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13:45
Understand—Seven Ages of Man, with Michael Rosen, 7. Vittorio Angelone's in his 20s
7/8 Can comedian Vittorio Angelone learn to like himself, after his tumultuous 20s?
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14:00
The Archers—01/10/2026
Pip has a decision to make.
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14:15
Limelight—Underground, Episode 3
Guests arrive at Thornfield. But what is Edward hiding from Charly?
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14:45
The Banksy Story—When Banksy Comes to Town, 4. Share and Shares Alike
4/6 What happens when Banksy takes a shine to your wall? And would you buy shares in his art?
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15:00
Gardeners' Question Time—Sidmouth
Peter Gibbs and the panel are in Sidmouth answering questions from local gardeners.
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15:45
Short Works—Night Eater by Louise Welsh
An original short work for BBC Radio 4.
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16:00
Last Word—From Childline to Silverline to assisted dying: the campaigning life - and death - of Dame Esther Ranzten.
Matthew Bannister on a TV presenter and campaigner, a civil servant and a physicist.
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16:30
More or Less—Does the UK really have nine out of the ten poorest regions in Northern Europe?
Tim Harford investigates regional inequality, migrant costs, donkey donations and honey.
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17:00
On air
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Evening
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18:00
Six O'Clock News—02/10/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
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18:30
The News Quiz—Series 121, 'Manchester Sausage'
5/8 Triple locks, sham contracts and surprisingly yellow bananas.
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19:00
The Archers—02/10/2026
Lily extends an invitation.
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19:15
Screenshot—Leading Men
Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode examine the evolution of the Hollywood heartthrob.
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20:00
Any Questions?—Sarah Bool MP, Ellie Chowns MP, Jake Richards MP, Richard Tice MP
Alex Forsyth presents political debate from Grantham in Lincolnshire.
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20:55
This Week in History—September 28th to October 4th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
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21:00
Free Thinking—The example of St Francis
Anne McElvoy and guests discuss St Francis, wealth and our relationship with animals.
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22:00
The World Tonight—02/10/2026
In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspective
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22:45
Stations by Louise Kennedy—Episode 5
5/10 Róisín visits her new sister Mary in Sydenham.
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23:00
Americast—Can the Democratic Socialists of America win over voters?
We speak to the DSA’s co-chair on what the party really stands for
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23:30
Great Lives—Russell Kane on Iris Murdoch
Famous guests pick someone they love or admire... or both.
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Late
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00:00
Midnight News—03/10/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
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00:30
Empire at the Edge of the World by Giles Milton—5. The Reckoning
5/5 Rescuer Harold Noice finally reaches Wrangel Island. Read by Edmund Kingsley.
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00:48
Shipping Forecast—03/10/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
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01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—03/10/2026
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
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05:30
News Summary—03/10/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
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05:34
Shipping Forecast—03/10/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
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05:43
Prayer for the Day—03/10/2026
Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection
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05:45
The Banksy Story—When Banksy Comes to Town, 4. Share and Shares Alike
4/6 What happens when Banksy takes a shine to your wall? And would you buy shares in his art?
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