Schedule
Early
00:00
Midnight News—16/03/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:15
Great Lives—Lady Rachel MacRobert, chosen by Hayaatun Sillem
Dr Hayaatun Sillem chooses the extraordinary life of Lady Rachel MacRobert.
00:45
Bells on Sunday—The church of St Mary, Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire
Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St Mary, Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire
00:48
Shipping Forecast—16/03/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—16/03/2026
A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
05:00
News Summary—16/03/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:04
Yesterday in Parliament—16/03/2026
Susan Hulme examines the issues of voting for war, women in parliament and stablecoins.
05:34
Shipping Forecast—16/03/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
05:43
Prayer for the Day—A Day Off
A reflection and prayer to start the day with Father Martin Magill
05:45
Farming Today—16/03/26: Impact of war on Ukraine's soil, village cut off by landslide, food processing
New research on the impact of war on the soils of Ukraine.
05:57
Weather—16/03/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers
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Morning
06:00
Today—16/03/2026
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
09:00
Start the Week—Consciousness and Identity
Tom Sutcliffe with Michael Pollan, Fay Bound-Alberti and Mary Costello.
09:45
Like and Subscribe: How YouTube Changed the World—It's time to review YouTube's music revolution
YouTube has changed the music industry. Viral creators Rebecca Black and Dodie unpack how.
10:00
Woman's Hour—Jesse Buckley's Oscars win, Social work, Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Jessie Buckley becomes the first Irish woman to win the best actress Oscar.
11:00
Understand—How Reading Made Us, 2. How Reading Made Our Feelings
2/3Did reading make us lonely, set us free, and even end torture? James Marriott investigates
11:45
Shock and War: Iraq 20 Years On—6. The Day After
As Saddam’s regime is removed, Iraq plunges into chaos.
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Afternoon
12:00
News Summary—16/03/2026
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
12:04
You and Yours—Fuel prices, Middle East travel, Title Raiders
How the conflict in the Middle East is affecting consumer prices in the UK.
12:57
Weather—16/03/2026
The latest weather forecast
13:00
World at One—Starmer discussing 'viable plan' to reopen Strait of Hormuz
The Prime Minister insists Britain will not be drawn into a wider war against Iran.
13:45
The Race to Control the World—1. Chips and Chatbots
1/5The US and China are locked in a race to dominate the world of Artificial Intelligence
14:00
The Archers—15/03/2026
Tom and Helen are worried about Tony.
14:15
Prepper—Series 2, Fear of Going Out
2/4Two remarkable women prepare for the end of the world and make a weekly podcast about it.
14:45
Opening Lines—My Antonia
John Yorke explores Willa Cather’s novel of frontier life, My Ántonia.
15:00
A Good Read—Victoria Pile and Julian Baggini
Comedy writer Victoria Pile and philosopher Julian Baggini join Harriett Gilbert.
15:30
You're Dead to Me—El Cid: the life and legend of a medieval Spanish warrior
Join Greg and his guests to learn about the medieval Spanish warrior known as El Cid.
16:00
Currently—Britain By Bodycam
Aidan Tulloch talks to the people who process the UK's bodycam security footage.
16:30
The Kitchen Cabinet—Series 51, Abergavenny
4/6Jay Rayner and The Kitchen Cabinet panel visit Abergavenny.
17:00
PM—President Trump criticises allies for lack of commitment in Strait of Hormuz
NATO criticised by President Trump, who bemoans allies who have stayed out of the conflict
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Evening
18:00
Six O'Clock News—Donald Trump has criticised the UK's response to the Iran war
Sir Keir Starmer says he won't be drawn into a wider conflict
18:30
Unspeakable—Series 3, 1. Skedaddling Squirrels
1/6Suspicious squirrels, egosurfing, and strategic skedaddling.
19:00
The Archers—16/03/2026
Ruairi's got a lot on his mind.
19:15
Front Row—The Oscars, Ryan Gosling, Self Esteem performs
An Oscars roundup, Ryan Gosling on his new sci-fi film, and Self Esteem plays in studio.
20:00
How Did We Get Here?—Israel and the Palestinians, 6: From Israel’s Early Years to the Six Day War
6/10Jonny Dymond and guests explore the complicated back-story of the Middle East conflict.
20:30
BBC Inside Science—Is the Earth warming faster than we expected?
New research on what three very hot years can tell us about climate change.
21:00
Start the Week—Consciousness and Identity
Tom Sutcliffe with Michael Pollan, Fay Bound-Alberti and Mary Costello.
21:45
Like and Subscribe: How YouTube Changed the World—It's time to review YouTube's music revolution
YouTube has changed the music industry. Viral creators Rebecca Black and Dodie unpack how.
22:00
The World Tonight—Two dead in Kent meningitis outbreak
The specific strain of the infection has not been identified
22:45
Banshee—Diving for Pearls by Sheila O’Flanagan
A story inspired by the legends of the merrow.
23:00
Limelight—An Eye for a Killing, 1. The Trial On Christmas Eve
1/5Christmas Eve,1828: William Burke is on trial for murder at the High Court in Edinburgh.
23:30
Today in Parliament—16/03/2026
News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
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Late
00:00
Midnight News—17/03/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:30
Shock and War: Iraq 20 Years On—6. The Day After
As Saddam’s regime is removed, Iraq plunges into chaos.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—17/03/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—17/03/2026
A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
05:00
News Summary—17/03/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:04
Yesterday in Parliament—17/03/2026
Alicia McCarthy reports on the government's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
05:34
Shipping Forecast—17/03/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
05:43
Prayer for the Day—St Patrick’s Quiet Resilience
A reflection and prayer to start the day with Father Martin Magill.
05:45
Farming Today—17/03/26 Energy bills in rural homes, new livestock worrying laws, processing venison
Government pledges £53 million to help vulnerable rural households pay for heating oil.



































