BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 1 October 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—01/10/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Empire at the Edge of the World by Giles Milton—3. Presumed Dead
  
  3/5 Unaware of the Karluk's fate, Stefansson strikes out across the frozen Beaufort Sea.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—01/10/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—01/10/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—01/10/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  More or Less—Does the UK really have nine out of the ten poorest regions in Northern Europe?
  
  Tim Harford investigates regional inequality, migrant costs, donkey donations and honey.
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—01/10/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Rest is hard to keep to at times
  
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Haydon Spenceley.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—01/10/26 Red diesel; Labour party conference; getting into farming; the sound of worms.
  
  Why spiralling red diesel prices could put some farmers in the red.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  Today—01/10/2026
  
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  
  In Our Time—Casablanca
  
  The classic 1942 movie that convinced Americans the Second World War was worth fighting.
3. 09:45
  
  Strong Message Here—Political Capital (with Pierre Novellie)
  
  What is political capital, and how do you earn it?
4. 10:00
  
  Woman's Hour—Cornell University rape investigation, Tributes to Esther Rantzen, Sunbeds
  
  We find out more about a rape investigation at a US university that's sparked rage online.
5. 11:00
  
  This Cultural Life—Liliane Lijn
  
  Pioneering artist and sculptor Liliane Lijn reveals her formative cultural influences.
6. 11:45
  
  Empire at the Edge of the World by Giles Milton—4. The Friendly Arctic
  
  4/5 Stefansson turns bestselling author, selling the Arctic as a paradise ripe for settlement.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  News Summary—01/10/2026
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  
  The Bottom Line—Antiques
  
  How does the antiques industry work and is it accurately portrayed on television shows?
3. 12:32
  
  Sliced Bread—Acne Treatments
  
  What really helps to treat acne?
4. 12:57
  
  Weather—01/10/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  
  World at One—New early release scheme for prisoners begins
  
  Hundreds in England and Wales to be released after serving a third of their sentence
6. 13:45
  
  Understand—Seven Ages of Man, with Michael Rosen, 6. Marvin Sordell's in his 30s
  
  6/8 Former footballer Marvin Sordell opens up about his breakdown and new life after 30.
7. 14:00
  
  The Archers—30/09/2026
  
  There’s light at the end of the tunnel for Lily.
8. 14:15
  
  Drama on 4—A Place Called Home, 3. Meanwhile
  
  3/6 When a van-dweller falls for a landlord's son, a coastal housing row turns personal.
9. 15:00
  
  Open Country—Walter Scott country
  
  Martha Kearney explores Walter Scott country in the Scottish borders.
10. 15:27
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Lymphoma Action
  
  Beneficiary Jacqueline Durban makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Lymphoma Action.
11. 15:30
  
  Word of Mouth—Where Did Punctuation Come From?
  
  Michael Rosen discovers punctuation through the ages with writer Florence Hazrat.
12. 16:00
  
  Rethink—Rethink: manufacturing or services?
  
  Does "servitization" boost the economy?
13. 16:30
  
  BBC Inside Science—The future of particle physics
  
  What are the next steps for the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator?
14. 17:00
  
  PM—Prisoners freed in the first wave of early releases
  
  We discuss the pressures on probation and hear the concerns of the Victims Commissioner.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Hundreds of prisoners walk free
  
  The government's early release scheme in England and Wales starts rolling out
2. 18:30
  
  Stand-Up Specials—Omid Djalili: Namaste, 4. Still Human
  
  4/4 Omid Djalili asks what might save us from all this noise.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—01/10/2026
  
  Pip has a decision to make.
4. 19:15
  
  Front Row—Review Show: Tom Cruise in the film Digger
  
  Sienna Miller and Dominic West in Sky legal drama War and The Standard of Living play.
5. 20:00
  
  When It Hits the Fan—I'm a Billionaire... Get Me Out of Here!!!
  
  David Yelland and Farzana Baduel on why some of the super rich are slagging off the UK.
6. 20:15
  
  The Media Show—Man City verdict, Dead Internet Theory, The Art of Casting
  
  We speak to reporters who investigated Manchester City over the years.
7. 21:00
  
  Loose Ends—John Cooper Clarke, Jackie Kay, Antony Szmierek, Hannah Maxwell
  
  Stuart Maconie and guests live at the BBC's Contain's Strong Language festival.
8. 21:45
  
  Strong Message Here—Political Capital (with Pierre Novellie)
  
  What is political capital, and how do you earn it?
9. 22:00
  
  The World Tonight—Netanyahu says Flydubai attacker had 'Islamist radical indoctrination'
  
  The plane plunged more than 17,000ft before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker
10. 22:45
  
  Stations by Louise Kennedy—Episode 4
  
  4/10 Róisín settles into life in the squat in Pimlico.
11. 23:00
  
  Radical—Care Crisis: Could Volunteer Teenagers Fix It? (Paul Sagar)
  
  An idea to discount tuition fees if students spend a year working in adult social care.
12. 23:30
  
  Great Lives—Ruby Tandoh on Brian Jacques author of the Redwall series
  
  Ruby Tandoh picks the author of the Redwall series, Brian Jacques.
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—02/10/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Empire at the Edge of the World by Giles Milton—4. The Friendly Arctic
  
  4/5 Stefansson turns bestselling author, selling the Arctic as a paradise ripe for settlement.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—02/10/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—02/10/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—02/10/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  Rethink—Rethink: manufacturing or services?
  
  Does "servitization" boost the economy?
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—02/10/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Do weeks end on Friday?
  
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Haydon Spenceley.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—02/10/26 Food industry climate whistleblowers, farm apprenticeships, Plaid Cymru conference
  
  Whistleblowers warning of the food industry's 'illusion of resilience'.