BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 13 August 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—13/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Hiroshima, 8.15: The Lost Memoir by Kiyoshi Tanimoto and Koko Kondo—Episode 3
  
  3/5 A searing account of the atomic bomb’s aftermath from local pastor Kiyoshi Tanimoto.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—13/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—13/08/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—13/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  Sideways—Stolen Notes
  
  A priceless instrument goes missing and changes the path of a musician’s career.
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—13/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—The Plain Truth!
  
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Richard Reddie
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—13/08/26 Bluetongue in sheep, growing more UK fruit and veg, B12 in salads
  
  Surviving bluetongue, the sheep farmer's story.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  Today—13/08/2026
  
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  
  Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics—Series 12, The Oracle at Delphi
  
  3/7 Natalie offers a helpful guide to using the Oracle to get answers to your big questions.
3. 09:30
  
  Artworks—The Guitar Story, 2. My Generation
  
  2/4 John Wilson explores the story of the guitar as a driver of social and cultural change.
4. 10:00
  
  Woman's Hour—Simon Levy verdict; the partition of India in fiction; mudlarking
  
  Lessons for the justice system from the Simon Levy case.
5. 11:00
  
  Three Ages of Child—Episode 3: Adolescence
  
  3/3 A journey through the landscape that shapes the health of our children.
6. 11:45
  
  Hiroshima, 8.15: The Lost Memoir by Kiyoshi Tanimoto and Koko Kondo—Episode 4
  
  4/5 A searing account of the atomic bomb’s aftermath from local pastor Kiyoshi Tanimoto.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  News Summary—13/08/2026
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  
  Scam Secrets—Inside Report Fraud
  
  What really happens when you report a scam?
3. 12:32
  
  Sliced Bread—Sliced Bread - Series 17, Laundry Detergents
  
  Pods, liquids and powders: which laundry detergent really cleans up?
4. 12:57
  
  Weather—13/08/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  
  World at One—Sir Mark Rowley: rule of law in "very, very precarious" state
  
  Britain's top police officer warns the rule of law is in a "very, very precarious" state.
6. 13:45
  
  Human Intelligence—Recluses, Li Qingzhao
  
  Inside the mind of China’s greatest female poet: Li Qingzhao.
7. 14:00
  
  The Archers—12/08/2026
  
  Carol continues to cause problems.
8. 14:15
  
  Drama on 4—Security
  
  And now it’s time to nip down to the shops - our afternoon drama is on special offer!
9. 15:00
  
  This Natural Life—Phoebe Smith
  
  Adventurer Phoebe Smith takes Martha Kearney to her favourite mountain, Tryfan in Wales
10. 15:27
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Peace Direct
  
  Founder Scilla Elworthy makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Peace Direct.
11. 15:30
  
  Feedback—Dead Rabbit, Colin Sell, and Farming Today.
  
  Andrea Catherwood discusses recent investigative series Dead Rabbit.
12. 16:00
  
  The Briefing Room—Part 2: How do we reform social care?
  
  David Aaronovitch and guests discuss what Louise Casey's social care review might entail.
13. 16:30
  
  BBC Inside Science—Should we be scared of AI viruses?
  
  Researchers have announced synthetic viruses designed by artificial intelligence.
14. 17:00
  
  PM—13/08/2026
  
  Full coverage of the day's news
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Israeli military tackles blockade by Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank
  
  The Israeli settlers have blockaded two families in the village of Qusra
2. 18:30
  
  Icklewick FM—Series 1, 3. The Festival
  
  3/6 Icklewick FM are on the scene for the 233rd Icklewick Agricultural Festival.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—13/08/2026
  
  David is offered a choice.
4. 19:15
  
  Front Row—Review Show: Tony, film about the early life of chef Anthony Bourdain
  
  Plus reviews of manga musical Death Note and Mario Vargas Llosa’s final novel.
5. 20:00
  
  At Your Own Peril—Show Me the Bodies
  
  Lucy Easthope explores the history of risk.
6. 20:15
  
  The Media Show—Jason Arday, Investigating Football, Broadcasters Moving to YouTube
  
  As TV broadcasters move over to YouTube, what does it take to succeed on the platform?
7. 21:00
  
  Loose Ends—Liam Ó Maonlaí, Michael Fry, Emma Southon, Olivia McVeigh, Dónal O'Connor, Neil Martin, Clare Sands
  
  Stuart Maconie and guests from Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All-Ireland Fleadh) in Belfast.
8. 21:45
  
  The Cows Are Mad—6. Stray Burger
  
  A mother embarks on a quest for answers.
9. 22:00
  
  The World Tonight—Polls close in Clacton by-election triggered by Nigel Farage
  
  Counting is underway – but will Nigel Farage win, or Count Binface?
10. 22:45
  
  The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith—Episode Nine
  
  9/10 Mr Burchell is revealed to be not what he seemed.
11. 23:00
  
  Radical—Britain's Lost Species: Should We Resurrect Our Extinct Wildlife? (Derek Gow)
  
  Meet the farmer advocating for large-scale species reintroductions.
12. 23:30
  
  A Good Read—Sophie Raworth and Patrick Ness
  
  The newsreader and the writer chat about books with Harriett.
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—14/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Hiroshima, 8.15: The Lost Memoir by Kiyoshi Tanimoto and Koko Kondo—Episode 4
  
  4/5 A searing account of the atomic bomb’s aftermath from local pastor Kiyoshi Tanimoto.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—14/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—14/08/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—14/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  The Briefing Room—Part 2: How do we reform social care?
  
  David Aaronovitch and guests discuss what Louise Casey's social care review might entail.
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—14/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Fruity Fridays
  
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Richard Reddie.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—14/08/2026 Brassicas, cherries, salad
  
  Brassica crisis, salad, cherry harvest.

Friday 14 August 2026