BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Sunday 18 October 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—18/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  Take Four Books—Marlon James
  The Jamaican novelist Marlon James on his Booker-shortlisted novel The Disappearers.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—18/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—18/10/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:30
  News Summary—18/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—18/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:43
  Bells on Sunday—The Church of All Saints and Saint Lawrence, Evesham in Worcestershire
  Bells on Sunday comes from the Church of All Saints and Saint Lawrence, Evesham
8. 05:45
  In Touch—Getting Active
  A group of sporty visually impaired people provide tips and advice on how to keep active.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  News Summary—18/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 06:05
  Beyond Belief—New Atheism
  Giles and the panel explore "New Atheism".
3. 06:35
  On Your Farm—BBC Food & Farming Awards finalist: Bronagh O'Kane
  Bronagh O'Kane farms regeneratively and works to bring like-minded farmers together
4. 06:57
  Weather—18/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  News and Papers—18/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 07:10
  Sunday—Pope Leo's health, Mecca pact, vicar fuel costs
  Pope Leo's health, Mecca pact, vicar fuel costs.
7. 07:54
  Radio 4 Appeal—Willow Foundation
  Broadcaster John Wilson makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Willow Foundation.
8. 07:57
  Weather—18/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
9. 08:00
  News and Papers—18/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
10. 08:10
  Sunday Worship—The Feast of St Luke - Crediton Parish Church
  A live service from the Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross, Crediton.
11. 08:48
  Witness History—The final journey of Chief Long Wolf
  In 1997, the remains of a Lakota leader were returned from London to South Dakota
12. 08:58
  Tweet of the Day—Jack Baddams on the Brambling
  Every autumn ornithologist Jack Baddams looks forward to the arrival of the brambling.
13. 09:00
  Broadcasting House—Riots in France: has President Macron lost control?
  Organisers say half a million people were protesting.
14. 10:00
  Desert Island Discs—Dr Miriam Stoppard
  Doctor and writer Miriam Stoppard shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
15. 11:00
  The Archers Omnibus—18/10/2026
  There’s a spanner in the works for Pip, and Freddie’s feelings are hurt.
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Afternoon
1. 12:15
  Profile—Navi Pillay
  Human rights judge and winner of Nobel Peace Prize.
2. 12:30
  Room 101 with Paul Merton—Series 4, Miles Jupp
  1/6Paul asks Miles Jupp about his pet peeves and worst nightmares.
3. 12:57
  Weather—18/10/2026
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  The World This Weekend—The house that Bibi built
  Israelis head to the polls for an election like no other.
5. 13:30
  Currently—Childline at 40
  An exploration of 40 years of Childline.
6. 14:00
  Gardeners' Question Time—The Potting Shed at the GQT Summer Garden Party
  Kathy Clugston presents a special Potting Shed edition of Gardeners’ Question Time.
7. 14:45
  Ten Second Showdown—Ben Johnson
  The dirtiest race in history.
8. 15:00
  Celtic Christie—Celtic Christie: The Unexpected Guest
  Classic whodunit from the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie.
9. 16:00
  Take Four Books—John Grisham
  The best-selling US author on his latest novel, The French Illusion, and its influences.
10. 16:30
  Brain of Britain—Brain of Britain - Semi-final 1, 2026
  General knowledge quiz. Spotlights on Billy Wilder films and the Nuremberg Trials.
11. 17:00
  Witness History—Usonia: Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘utopian’ town
  In 1948, a “utopian” town of houses was designed by America’s greatest architect.
12. 17:10
  The Verb—Around the Globe
  There's an international flavour to Radio 4's poetry programme presented by Ian McMillan.
13. 17:54
  Shipping Forecast—18/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  Weather—18/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—French protests turn violent
  More than 1,800 people have been arrested in France as protests yesterday turned violent
2. 18:15
  Pick of the Week—Dr Hannah French
  Dr Hannah French presents a weekly selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—18/10/2026
  It’s Pip and Stella’s wedding day.
4. 19:15
  Illuminated—The Mysterious Case of Annie Elizabeth
  An ancient apple tree leads to Annie Elizabeth, and a Victorian scandal.
5. 19:45
  Shadow World—Thief at the British Museum, 6. Lone Wolf or Scapegoat?
  Peter Higgs is sacked, but the British Museum’s director turns on Ittai.
6. 20:00
  Feedback—Listeners React to BBC Radio Cuts, You and Yours, and an Interview of the Year
  Andrea Catherwood hears your reactions to recent BBC Radio 4 cuts.
7. 20:30
  Last Word—Margaret Hamilton: the woman who helped put man on the moon
  Also, war criminal Biljana Plavšiċ, journalist Felicity Green and composer George Fenton.
8. 21:00
  Money Box—Capita Investigation and ISA changes
  National Audit Office to review of the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
9. 21:25
  Radio 4 Appeal—Willow Foundation
  Broadcaster John Wilson makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Willow Foundation.
10. 21:30
  From Our Own Correspondent—Saudi Arabia hit by the Houthis
  An attack on Riyadh airport has exposed the limitations of Saudi Arabia's air defences.
11. 22:00
  Westminster Hour—What will the government decide on North Sea drilling?
  The government's long-awaited decision on North Sea oil and gas drilling approaches.
12. 23:00
  In Our Time—The Battle of Antietam
  The American Civil War battle that prompted Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.
13. 23:45
  Short Works—Let Them Have Their Fun by Lauren Mackenzie
  A sightseeing trip takes an unexpected turn for Grace and her family.
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—19/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  The Artificial Human—Can the UK go it alone on AI?
  Aleks and Kevin ask whether the UK can stay sovereign in the global AI race.
3. 00:45
  Bells on Sunday—The Church of All Saints and Saint Lawrence, Evesham in Worcestershire
  Bells on Sunday comes from the Church of All Saints and Saint Lawrence, Evesham
4. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—19/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
5. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—19/10/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
6. 05:00
  News Summary—19/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—19/10/2026
  Sean Curran reports as MPs discuss the first-ever severe drought recorded in the UK.
8. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—19/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
9. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Breast Cancer Awareness
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Angad Kaur.
10. 05:45
  Farming Today—19/10/26 Defra secretary on organic farming and sustainable farming incentive; cider apples
  How will the government avoid a repeat of this year's funding application chaos?
11. 05:57
  Weather—19/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers