Schedule
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Early
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00:00
Midnight News—29/09/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
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00:30
Empire at the Edge of the World by Giles Milton—1. The Race for a Lost Arctic Continent
1/5 The race for a lost Arctic continent.
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00:48
Shipping Forecast—29/09/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
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01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—29/09/2026
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
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05:00
News Summary—29/09/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
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05:04
Currently—The Silence of the Oligarchs
Russia's super-rich once ruled the country - could they restore their political influence?
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05:34
Shipping Forecast—29/09/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
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05:43
Prayer for the Day—Am I enough? Am I performing well enough?
A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Haydon Spenceley.
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05:45
Farming Today—29/09/2026: Precision breeding, Community farm, Mentoring on farm
Precision breeding, Community farm, Mentoring on farm.
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Morning
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06:00
Today—29/09/2026
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
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09:00
The Life Scientific—Gillian Forrester on gesturing gorillas, babbling babies and the origins of human language
Professor Gillian Forrester on how we became the walking, talking great apes we are today.
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09:30
All in the Mind—How do we judge someone’s emotions?
Plus, we reveal the All in the Mind Awards judging panel.
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10:00
Woman's Hour—'Empty nesters', Electronic tagging, Actor Lara Ricote
How has becoming an 'empty nester' impacted your life - a loss, a joy or a bit of both?
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11:00
Screenshot—Nature
Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode consider the role of natural history film and TV today.
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11:45
Empire at the Edge of the World by Giles Milton—2. Trapped in the Ice
2/5 Trapped in the ice, the Karluk's crew face scurvy and starvation. Read by Edmund Kingsley.
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Afternoon
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12:00
News Summary—29/09/2026
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
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12:04
You and Yours—Call You and Yours: "How are you affording to buy or rent a decent quality home?"
Call You and Yours: "How are you affording to buy or rent a decent quality home?"
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12:57
Weather—29/09/2026
The latest weather forecast
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13:00
World at One—Andy Burnham prepares to make his first Conference speech as PM
We're in Liverpool, where the prime minister will promise to bring 'hope' to the country.
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13:45
Understand—Seven Ages of Man, with Michael Rosen, 4. Matthew Todd's in his 50s
4/8 Journalist and writer Matthew Todd talks about self-acceptance in his 50s.
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14:00
The Archers—28/09/2026
Ian finds himself torn.
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14:15
Drama on 4—A Place Called Home, 1. Riverbourne Rising
1/6 A tower block is falling apart and the tenants revolt when the landlords refuse to listen
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15:00
History's Heroes—History's Secret Heroes - Series 4, Kiyoshi Tanimoto and the Atomic Bomb
6/11 Why did a minister run towards Hiroshima immediately after the atomic bomb?
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15:30
Beyond Belief—Texts of Terror
Giles and the panel grapple with the horrific passages in holy scripture.
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16:00
Artworks—Pop Art Remixed
Gavin Turk explores British pop art and its legacy.
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16:30
What's Up Docs?—How can we better understand neurodiversity?
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the conversation around neurodiversity.
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17:00
PM—Burnham pledges to scrap triple lock and change electoral system
The prime minister says he's offering honesty, ideas and a clear direction.
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Evening
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18:00
Six O'Clock News—Andy Burnham sets out his vision on social care
The PM says he'll scrap the existing state pension triple lock to pay for it
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18:30
Stand-Up Specials—Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club S1, S1 E2: Should we just 'man up'?
2/4 Modern masculinity. Should we just ‘man up’?
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19:00
The Archers—29/09/2026
Ed has a controversial suggestion.
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19:15
Front Row—BBC National Short Story Award and Young Writers Award 2026
The winners of both prizes are announced live from BBC Broadcasting House.
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20:00
File on 4 Investigates—Tinderbox Britain - Are we ready for more wildfires?
After a record breaking wildfire season, are we prepared for the growing threat?
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20:40
In Touch—Cost of Living Research, Non-Visual Noticing in Poetry
In Touch celebrates National Poetry Day with two visually impaired poets.
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21:00
Crossing Continents—Nepal: In the shadow of a glacier
The 1000-year-old Himalayan community now facing an existential threat.
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21:30
The Bottom Line—Drones: Small machines, big business
Drones are getting cheaper, smarter and longer-range. So where does the industry go next?
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22:00
The World Tonight—The PM vows to end existing triple lock on pensions in 2030
Andy Burnham sets out his vision for the country at Labour conference in Liverpool
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22:45
Stations by Louise Kennedy—Episode 2
2/10 As Red and Róisín grow closer, tensions at home rise.
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23:00
The History Podcast—Half-Life, 6. Tranquility
Joe's great-grandfather settles in the United States where his mental health deteriorates.
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23:30
Great Lives—Pauline Black of The Selecter on Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex
Famous people pick someone they love or admire.
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Late
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00:00
Midnight News—30/09/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
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00:30
Empire at the Edge of the World by Giles Milton—2. Trapped in the Ice
2/5 Trapped in the ice, the Karluk's crew face scurvy and starvation. Read by Edmund Kingsley.
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00:48
Shipping Forecast—30/09/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
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01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—30/09/2026
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
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05:00
News Summary—30/09/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
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05:04
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?
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05:34
Shipping Forecast—30/09/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
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05:43
Prayer for the Day—A day of pausing, endings and new beginnings
A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Haydon Spenceley.
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05:45
Farming Today—30/09/26 Nitrogen in soil, organic veg scheme, student bursaries.
A new way of looking at the nitrogen cycle helps reduce agricultural emissions.
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