BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Sunday 20 September 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—20/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Take Four Books—Sebastian Barry
  
  The Irish writer speaks about his latest novel, The Newer World, and its three influences.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—20/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—20/09/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:30
  
  News Summary—20/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—20/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:43
  
  Bells on Sunday—St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield in London
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield in London.
8. 05:45
  
  In Touch—Live Action Role Playing
  
  In Touch hears about how visually impaired people get involved with Live Action Role Play.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  News Summary—20/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 06:05
  
  Heart and Soul—26/06/2026
  
  Personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.
3. 06:35
  
  On Your Farm—OxFarmtoFork - Connecting Growers to Oxford Institutions
  
  How the OxFarmtoFork initiative is building short veg supply chains around Oxford.
4. 06:57
  
  Weather—20/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  
  News and Papers—20/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 07:10
  
  Sunday—Mullaly Award Saga, John Coltrane, Quran burial
  
  William Crawley takes a look at the ethical and religious issues of the week.
7. 07:54
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Child Poverty Action Group
  
  Writer Armando Iannucci makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Child Poverty Action Group.
8. 07:57
  
  Weather—20/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
9. 08:00
  
  News and Papers—20/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
10. 08:10
  
  Sunday Worship—Holy Coasts - Northumberland Pilgrimage
  
  Holy Coasts - Northumberland Pilgrimage.
11. 08:48
  
  Witness History—Jackie Kennedy renovates the White House
  
  In 1962, first lady Jackie Kennedy took the cameras on a tour of the restored White House
12. 08:58
  
  Tweet of the Day—Susan Calman on the Goldfinch
  
  Comedian Susan Calman has gone to great lengths to entice goldfinches into her garden.
13. 09:00
  
  Broadcasting House—Drones over Moscow
  
  Ukraine launch their biggest attack on the city ever.
14. 10:00
  
  The Reunion—Blair's Education Reforms 1997
  
  Reflecting on the education reforms of the Blair government.
15. 11:00
  
  The Archers Omnibus—20/09/2026
  
  Harrison has a confession to make, and there’s a race against time for Anna.
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Afternoon
1. 12:15
  
  Profile—Amy Hunt
  
  'Academic badass, track goddess'.
2. 12:30
  
  Unspeakable—Series 4, 3. Outrageous Behaviour
  
  3/6 Problematic packaging, beautiful outrageousness and zen fury.
3. 12:57
  
  Weather—20/09/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  
  The World This Weekend—Houthis target Saudi capital
  
  A new front in the Iran war brings more instability to the Middle East.
5. 13:30
  
  Currently—Taiwan: The Pacific Breaking Point
  
  Will the world go to war over Taiwan? Experts from Taipei, Beijing and Washington explain.
6. 14:00
  
  Gardeners' Question Time—Summer Garden Party RHS Wisley: Show 2
  
  Kathy Clugston hosts GQT from the Summer Garden Party 2026 held at RHS Garden Wisley.
7. 14:45
  
  Naturebang—African Wild Dogs and Democracy
  
  Can we take notes on democracy from a pack of sneezing wild dogs?
8. 15:00
  
  Drama on 4—Where We Belong
  
  A Mohegan artist retraces ancestral journeys while studying Shakespeare.
9. 16:00
  
  Take Four Books—Donal Ryan
  
  The Irish writer on his latest novel, Where Are The Kings, and its three key influences.
10. 16:30
  
  Brain of Britain—Brain of Britain - Heat 9, 2026
  
  General knowledge quiz. Spotlights on Nordic heavy metal and 'Macbeth'.
11. 17:00
  
  Witness History—Australia's first Big Thing
  
  In 1963, a giant sculpture of a Scotsman began one of the country's quirkiest phenomena
12. 17:10
  
  The Verb—Poems to help us brave the elements
  
  Ian McMillan with elemental haiku, poetry that moves mountains, and the best new writing.
13. 17:54
  
  Shipping Forecast—20/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  
  Weather—20/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—German Chancellor: 'Disastrous' state elections
  
  German Chancellor Merz vows to stay on despite state election results
2. 18:15
  
  Pick of the Week—Paulette Edwards
  
  Paulette Edwards presents a weekly selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—20/09/2026
  
  Natasha throws a spanner in the works.
4. 19:15
  
  Illuminated—Izabela in Peru
  
  Polish field-recordist Izabela Dłużyk, born blind, guides us into the rainforest of Peru.
5. 19:45
  
  Shadow World—Thief at the British Museum, 2. White Paper Dots
  
  Ittai Gradel discovers a seemingly endless supply of precious gemstones.
6. 20:00
  
  Word of Mouth—Voices of Manchester
  
  Rob Drummond talks to Michael about the ways people talk in Manchester.
7. 20:30
  
  Last Word—“A powerful wordsmith and artist” – remembering the playwright and cultural critic Bonnie Greer
  
  Also, farmer Wendell Berry, historian Frances Stonor Saunders and producer Jeremy Thomas.
8. 21:00
  
  Money Box—The Future of Pensions and Bereavement "Injustice"
  
  What might the Pensions Commission recommend to improve retirement saving?
9. 21:25
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Child Poverty Action Group
  
  Writer Armando Iannucci makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Child Poverty Action Group.
10. 21:30
  
  From Our Own Correspondent—Iran-backed Houthis rapidly advance on Red Sea coast
  
  Houthi fighters captured two port cities, consolidating their grip on a key shipping route
11. 22:00
  
  Westminster Hour—The PM prepares to meet President Trump, and the Lib Dem Conference
  
  Andy Burnham goes to the UN and the Lib Dems gather in Brighton for their party conference
12. 23:00
  
  In Our Time—Thomas More's Utopia
  
  How the description of a fictional island has fascinated readers for centuries.
13. 23:45
  
  Naturebang—Magpies and Altruism
  
  Why do we help each other out? Even when it gets us nothing? Magpies might know.
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Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—21/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Crossing Continents—Turkey on Trial: Can Courts Control a Nation?
  
  From jailed mayors to comedians, Emily Wither investigates Turkey's crackdown.
3. 00:45
  
  Bells on Sunday—St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield in London
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield in London.
4. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—21/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
5. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—21/09/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
6. 05:00
  
  News Summary—21/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  
  Last Word—“A powerful wordsmith and artist” – remembering the playwright and cultural critic Bonnie Greer
  
  Also, farmer Wendell Berry, historian Frances Stonor Saunders and producer Jeremy Thomas.
8. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—21/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
9. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Plant, Uproot, Repeat
  
  Spiritual reflection to start the day with writer and broadcaster, Fiona Stewart.
10. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—21/09/2026 Pulses, SFI 'haves and have-nots', agricultural advisor training
  
  More beans please - should the UK be growing more pulses?
11. 05:57
  
  Weather—21/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers

Monday 21 September 2026