BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 24 September 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—24/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  All About My Mother: A Memoir of Diana Rigg by Rachael Stirling—Episode 3
  
  3/5 Rachael Stirling’s frank, funny and poignant memoir about her mother, actress Diana Rigg.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—24/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—24/09/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—24/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  More or Less—Has the UK’s productivity puzzle been solved?
  
  Tim Harford investigates bad productivity data, AI carbon, nuns and quiet album ends.
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—24/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Lowry's revelation
  
  Spiritual reflection to start the day with writer and broadcaster, Fiona Stewart.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—24/09/26 'Shambolic' and 'disheartening' SFI application process, British baked beans
  
  The aftermath of the dash for cash from England's biggest environmental scheme.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  Today—24/09/2026
  
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  
  In Our Time—Particle Accelerators
  
  The enormous machines that seek to answer the fundamental questions about our universe.
3. 09:45
  
  Strong Message Here—We Care, We Fight! (with Stewart Lee)
  
  Is Ed Davey cut out for the attention economy? Armando and Stewart Lee have some tips.
4. 10:00
  
  Woman's Hour—Naomi Alderman's new novel, Skye from Morcheeba, Access to hormonal coil
  
  The best-selling author of The Power on her new novel, The Strangers.
5. 11:00
  
  This Cultural Life—Elif Shafak
  
  Turkish-British novelist Elif Shafak reveals her formative cultural influences.
6. 11:45
  
  All About My Mother: A Memoir of Diana Rigg by Rachael Stirling—Episode 4
  
  4/5 Rachael Stirling’s frank, funny and poignant memoir about her mother, actress Diana Rigg.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  News Summary—24/09/2026
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  
  The Bottom Line—Drones: Small machines, big business
  
  Drones are getting cheaper, smarter and longer-range. So where does the industry go next?
3. 12:32
  
  Sliced Bread—Dough - Series 5, Supermarkets
  
  Are self-checkouts here to stay? Greg Foot examines the future of supermarkets.
4. 12:57
  
  Weather—24/09/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  
  World at One—Hackers claim to have details of all FBI agents
  
  The Agency says it is "aggressively investigating" the apparent breach of its system
6. 13:45
  
  The History Podcast—The Hitler Diaries Scandal, 9. The Trial
  
  9/11 Everything is falling apart for Gerd Heidemann and the heat is on forger Konrad Kujau.
7. 14:00
  
  The Archers—23/09/2026
  
  It’s action stations for Amber.
8. 14:15
  
  Drama on 4—End Terrace
  
  By Philip Catherwood. A drama set in Belfast about street art and second chances.
9. 15:00
  
  Open Country—Whitwell Bird Ringers
  
  Brett Westwood meets a remarkable bird ringing group from Whitwell in Derbyshire.
10. 15:27
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Child Poverty Action Group
  
  Writer Armando Iannucci makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Child Poverty Action Group.
11. 15:30
  
  Word of Mouth—Bouncer George Bass on de-escalating conflict
  
  Michael Rosen talks to a security guard who says that words are his riot shield in his job
12. 16:00
  
  Rethink—Rethink... what we put into space
  
  Are we putting too much material into orbit and is space the next environmental frontier?
13. 16:30
  
  BBC Inside Science—Do you have the correct time?
  
  How do we measure time accurately and why is the rotation of the Earth causing problems?
14. 17:00
  
  PM—24/09/2026
  
  Full coverage of the day's news
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—President Trump welcomes Xi Jinping to the White House
  
  President Trump discusses trade, Taiwan and AI with China's leader, Xi Jinping
2. 18:30
  
  Stand-Up Specials—Omid Djalili: Namaste, 3. The Outrage Machine
  
  3/4 Omid Djalili explores social media, algorithms and our addiction to the outrage machine.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—24/09/2026
  
  Helen bears the brunt.
4. 19:15
  
  Front Row—Front Row at the Contains Strong Language festival
  
  A special edition of Front Row from the BBC's Contains Strong Language festival
5. 20:00
  
  When It Hits the Fan—A Statement from the King
  
  David Yelland and Farzana Baduel on the royal response to Earl Spencer's bombshell book.
6. 20:15
  
  The Media Show—Trump’s legal battle with White House press, the global media spotlight on the village of Piddington, Diana media narratives
  
  The dispute over press access to Donald Trump and its implications for media freedom.
7. 21:00
  
  Loose Ends—Simon Brodkin, Elly Griffiths, Ahir Shah, Cara Dillon, Truthpaste
  
  Stuart Maconie and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
8. 21:45
  
  Strong Message Here—We Care, We Fight! (with Stewart Lee)
  
  Is Ed Davey cut out for the attention economy? Armando and Stewart Lee have some tips.
9. 22:00
  
  The World Tonight—President Xi calls for AI cooperation with United States
  
  Donald Trump says he and Xi Jinping held a "great meeting" in the White House
10. 22:45
  
  Exhibition by Alex Hyde—9: The Darkroom
  
  9/10 History repeats itself as Rab moves in with her friend and they begin to collaborate.
11. 23:00
  
  Radical—Rights for the Unborn: How Should We Protect Future Generations? (Sophie Howe)
  
  The world’s first ‘minister for the unborn' on why governments must think longer-term.
12. 23:30
  
  Soul Music—Ain't No Mountain High Enough
  
  The story behind this uplifting anthem and the personal memories forever linked to it.
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Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—25/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  All About My Mother: A Memoir of Diana Rigg by Rachael Stirling—Episode 4
  
  4/5 Rachael Stirling’s frank, funny and poignant memoir about her mother, actress Diana Rigg.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—25/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—25/09/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—25/09/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  Rethink—Rethink... what we put into space
  
  Are we putting too much material into orbit and is space the next environmental frontier?
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—25/09/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—When gladness meets need
  
  Spiritual reflection to start the day with writer and broadcaster, Fiona Stewart.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—25/09/2026: Heating oil costs, Bluetongue lessons, Beans as chicken feed
  
  Heating oil costs, Bluetongue lessons, Fava beans as chicken feed.

Friday 25 September 2026