Schedule
Early
00:00
Midnight News—18/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:15
Crossing Continents—Return to Khartoum: War, loss and hope
Mohanad Hashim returns home to a fabled city wrecked by war.
00:45
Bells on Sunday—The church of Saints Patrick and Andrew in Elveden Suffolk
Bells on Sunday comes from the church of Saints Patrick and Andrew in Elveden Suffolk.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—18/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—18/05/2026
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
05:00
News Summary—18/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:04
Last Word—15/05/2026
Radio 4's weekly obituary programme
05:34
Shipping Forecast—18/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
05:43
Prayer for the Day—How not to make an argument
Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection, with Rabbi Monique Mayer.
05:45
Farming Today—18/05/2026
The latest news about food, farming and the countryside.
05:57
Weather—18/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers
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Morning
06:00
Today—18/05/2026
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
09:00
Start the Week—Farming, food production and rural life
Adam Rutherford talks to Minette Batters, Dave Goulson and Melissa Harrison about farming.
09:45
Café Hope—18/05/2026
Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop with Rachel Burden.
10:00
Woman's Hour—18/05/2026
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
11:00
Behind the Crime—Sobanan
Sobanan talks about his relationship with drugs and imprisonment.
11:45
Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1930: Democracy to Dictatorship
6/10The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
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Afternoon
12:00
News Summary—18/05/2026
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
12:04
You and Yours—18/05/2026
News and discussion of consumer affairs
12:57
Weather—18/05/2026
The latest weather forecast
13:00
World at One—18/05/2026
News, analysis and comment from BBC Radio 4
13:45
Understand—Rinsed, 6. The Lion's Cage
6/13As scandals go, what’s happening to our rivers is a real stinker. Kate Lamble investigates
14:00
The Archers—17/05/2026
Leonard goes on a mission.
14:15
Conversations from a Long Marriage—Series 7, 3. Love and Affection
3/6Starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. Ray misunderstands Joanna's hug.
14:45
One to One—Dharshini David meets cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting
The culture of 'anti-ageing' and the ethics of the beauty industry
15:00
Great Lives—Ade Edmondson on singer Sandy Denny
Ade Edmondson - star of The Young Ones and much more - chooses the singer Sandy Denny.
15:30
The History Podcast—Sixty Years of Hurt, 1. England v The World
1/6David Baddiel tells the story of football and Englishness, from 1966 to the present day.
16:00
Currently—Who’s Winning Muslim Voters?
Why is the Labour party losing so many Muslim voters?
16:30
The Kitchen Cabinet—Series 52, Episode 6
6/7Jay Rayner hosts a culinary panel show packed full of tasty titbits.
17:00
PM—18/05/2026
Full coverage of the day's news
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Evening
18:00
Six O'Clock News—18/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
18:30
The Unbelievable Truth—Series 33, 4. Advertising, The Beatles, Theatre and Underwear
4/6Henning Wehn, Holly Walsh, Miles Jupp and Lucy Porter try to find the hidden truths.
19:00
The Archers—18/05/2026
Brad has an unexpected guest.
19:15
Front Row—18/05/2026
Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music.
20:00
The Briefing Room—Ten years of The Briefing Room
The Briefing Room looks back over the ten years since the programme started in May 2016.
20:30
BBC Inside Science—The science behind hantavirus
What do we know about the disease following its outbreak on a cruise ship this month?
21:00
Start the Week—Farming, food production and rural life
Adam Rutherford talks to Minette Batters, Dave Goulson and Melissa Harrison about farming.
21:45
Café Hope—18/05/2026
Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop with Rachel Burden.
22:00
The World Tonight—18/05/2026
In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspective
22:45
Hunger and Thirst by Claire Fuller—The Letter Box
6/10Claire Fuller's contemporary gothic thriller continues as Ursula faces up to her actions.
23:00
Limelight—Bitter Pill, 1. Fight or Flight
1/5A pharmaceutical company in Belfast promises a miracle drug to cure PTSD.
23:30
Today in Parliament—18/05/2026
News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
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Late
00:00
Midnight News—19/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:30
Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1930: Democracy to Dictatorship
6/10The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—19/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—19/05/2026
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
05:00
News Summary—19/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:04
Yesterday in Parliament—19/05/2026
News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
05:34
Shipping Forecast—19/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
05:43
Prayer for the Day—Slugs
Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection, with Rabbi Monique Mayer.
05:45
Farming Today—19/05/2026
The latest news about food, farming and the countryside.




































