BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 17 September 2026

Schedule

Skip to:

Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—17/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Redwood by Ben Macintyre—3. Spycraft
  
  3/5 In Ben Macintyre’s new book a KGB spy makes a momentous decision in revolutionary Iran.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—17/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—17/09/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—17/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  More or Less—Are bad teeth the number one reason kids go to A&E?
  
  Tim Harford investigates kids’ teeth, Israeli drugs, NEETs and the chances AI kills us all
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—17/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—The God Who Sees
  
  Spiritual reflection to start the day with Siȃn Wyn Rees.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—17/09/26 Farmer protests in Romania, sheepdog trials, Scottish arable cooperative.
  
  Violent clashes as shepherds in Romania protest over export ban of sheep.
Back to top
Morning
1. 06:00
  
  Today—17/09/2026
  
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  
  In Our Time—Thomas More's Utopia
  
  How the description of a fictional island has fascinated readers for centuries.
3. 09:45
  
  Strong Message Here—I Wasn't Even Listening (with Natalie Haynes)
  
  Armando and Natalie look back over a busy summer of political language.
4. 10:00
  
  Woman's Hour—Dame Meera Syal, Breast cancer drugs, Black child Down syndrome
  
  Writer and actor Dame Meera Syal talks about the publication of her memoir.
5. 11:00
  
  This Cultural Life—Joel Meyerowitz
  
  American photographer Joel Meyerowitz reveals his formative cultural influences.
6. 11:45
  
  Redwood by Ben Macintyre—4. On the Road
  
  4/5 In Ben Macintyre's new book a KGB double agent makes a perilous journey.
Back to top
Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  News Summary—17/09/2026
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  
  Scam Secrets—The 'Money Back' Scam
  
  How criminals target scam victims with false offers of help.
3. 12:32
  
  Sliced Bread—Dough - Series 5, Pets
  
  Could advances in AI help us have conversations with our pets? Greg Foot investigates.
4. 12:57
  
  Weather—17/09/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  
  World at One—King Charles: Pace of AI is ‘deeply concerning’
  
  The King will urge companies 'not to lose control of our destiny' at AI summit.
6. 13:45
  
  The History Podcast—The Hitler Diaries Scandal, 4. Fried Potatoes and Forgery
  
  4/11 The forger Konrad Kujau and the journalist Gerd Heidemann are about to come face to face.
7. 14:00
  
  The Archers—16/09/2026
  
  Alan is there for a friend in need.
8. 14:15
  
  Drama on 4—South of the River
  
  A chatty London cabbie becomes an accidental double agent caught between east and west.
9. 15:00
  
  Open Country—Kate Stables and Winchester
  
  Musician Kate Stables explores the landscapes around her home city of Winchester.
10. 15:27
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Lifebox Foundation
  
  Co-founder Dr Atul Gawande makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Lifebox Foundation.
11. 15:30
  
  BBC National Short Story Award—BBC National Short Story Award 2026, A Second Opinion by Caoilinn Hughes
  
  4/5 Caoilinn Hughes’ moving, humane story is up for the 21st BBC National Short Story Award.
12. 16:00
  
  Rethink—Rethink... warfare
  
  Is the UK ready for the challenges of modern war?
13. 16:30
  
  BBC Inside Science—AI to solve the energy crisis?
  
  Might the UK and US joining their AI forces help solve nuclear fusion?
14. 17:00
  
  PM—Mark Carney talks up closer EU ties
  
  The Canadian prime minister says a closer alliance with the EU is a "positive process".
Back to top
Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Charles 'giddily elated' after Diana died, her brother claims
  
  Daily Mail publishes extracts from Earl Spencer's book about his sister, Princess Diana
2. 18:30
  
  Stand-Up Specials—Omid Djalili: Namaste, 2. War and Other Misunderstandings
  
  2/4 Omid Djalili explores Iran, conflict and division.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—17/09/2026
  
  It’s action stations for Lynda.
4. 19:15
  
  Front Row—Review Show: Rose Tremain’s The Housekeeper, inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca
  
  Plus film Queen at Sea starring Juliette Binoche and Thelma & Louise the musical.
5. 20:00
  
  When It Hits the Fan—How to PR the End of the World
  
  David Yelland and Lauren Beeching discuss how to spin the destruction of humanity.
6. 20:15
  
  The Media Show—Is the right of reply under threat in the social media age?
  
  How social media is reshaping the right of reply in political journalism.
7. 21:00
  
  Loose Ends—Jay Rayner, Sindhu Vee, Helen Rebanks, Laura Veirs, Arab Strap, Stuart Maconie
  
  Stuart Maconie and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
8. 21:45
  
  Strong Message Here—I Wasn't Even Listening (with Natalie Haynes)
  
  Armando and Natalie look back over a busy summer of political language.
9. 22:00
  
  The World Tonight—King Charles warns of 'existential danger' from AI in wrong hands
  
  We explore whether China will agree to restrict AI development
10. 22:45
  
  Exhibition by Alex Hyde—4. The Wingback Chair
  
  4/10 After a day chasing the decisive moment, Rab shares a tender evening with Duncan.
11. 23:00
  
  Radical—Disaster Prepping: Should We All Stock Up? (Mike Chappell, prepper)
  
  A prepper argues everyone has a duty to be better prepared for a crisis.
12. 23:30
  
  Naturebang—Mongooses and the Magic of Trust
  
  How dwarf mongooses can help us figure out who to trust, and how to make friends.
13. 23:45
  
  Today in Parliament—17/09/2026
  
  Susan Hulme reports as ministers insist defence spending v welfare is a false choice.
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—18/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Redwood by Ben Macintyre—4. On the Road
  
  4/5 In Ben Macintyre's new book a KGB double agent makes a perilous journey.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—18/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—18/09/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—18/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  Rethink—Rethink... warfare
  
  Is the UK ready for the challenges of modern war?
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—18/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Time to Rest and Recover
  
  Spiritual reflection to start the day with Siȃn Wyn Rees.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—18/09/2026: Lib Dem Party Conference, Glutinous Snails, BBC Awards finalists, The Farmers Wife on stage.
  
  The Liberal Democrats want greater funding, and less red tape, for on-farm reservoirs.

Friday 18 September 2026