BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Sunday 30 August 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—30/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Take Four Books—Valeria Luiselli
  
  Presenter James Crawford speaks to the award-winning Mexican American novelist.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—30/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—30/08/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:30
  
  News Summary—30/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—30/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:43
  
  Bells on Sunday—All Saints church in Little Cornard, Suffolk
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from All Saints church in Little Cornard, Suffolk
8. 05:45
  
  In Touch—Advice for Visually Impaired Students
  
  In Touch provides advice for visually impaired youngsters starting university this year.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  News Summary—30/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 06:05
  
  Heart and Soul—Jamaica’s sacred heartbeat
  
  Jamaica’s revivalists preserve faith, healing and identity through sacred traditions.
3. 06:35
  
  On Your Farm—Changing tenants, changing times
  
  Rose Ferraby explores changes in farming and tenancies at a farm on the Wallington Estate
4. 06:57
  
  Weather—30/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  
  News and Papers—30/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 07:10
  
  Sunday—Nepal's religious geography; Dolly Parton and Gay Christianity
  
  A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week
7. 07:54
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Mesothelioma UK
  
  Broadcaster Carolyn Quinn makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Mesothelioma UK.
8. 07:57
  
  Weather—30/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
9. 08:00
  
  News and Papers—30/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
10. 08:10
  
  Sunday Worship—Holy Coasts: Nendrum Monastic Site, County Down
  
  Pathways & pilgrimage: Strangford Lough in Co. Down & the ancient monastic site of Nendrum
11. 08:48
  
  Witness History—Norway's WWII railway sabotage plot
  
  In 1942, Norwegian resistance fighters set out to blow up a railway used by the Nazis
12. 08:58
  
  Tweet of the Day—Jasmine Donahaye on the Mallard
  
  On a hot summer walk, author Jasmine Donahaye feels refreshed by the sound of mallards.
13. 09:00
  
  Broadcasting House—Andy Burnham: PC Harper's killers to stay in jail
  
  PM tells BBC that those convicted of unlawful killing won't be eligible for early release.
14. 10:00
  
  The Reunion—Casualty 40th Anniversary
  
  Everyday life in a UK hospital, or left wing propaganda? The 1986 launch of Casualty.
15. 11:00
  
  The Archers Omnibus—30/08/2026
  
  Lily has a confession to make and the Snell’s find comfort in each other.
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Afternoon
1. 12:15
  
  Profile—Anneliese Midgley
  
  Labour's new chief whip.
2. 12:30
  
  Just a Minute—Series 97, 6. Has Paul joined TikTok?
  
  6/6 Paul Merton, Rachel Parris, Gyles Brandreth and Lucy Porter.
3. 12:57
  
  Weather—30/08/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  
  The World This Weekend—How prepared is Nato for a Russian attack?
  
  The CIA director is reported to have warned Russia against any attack on Nato.
5. 13:30
  
  Currently—The Dictators' Survival Guide
  
  Why Xi Jinping's purge of China's most senior military general matters to us all.
6. 14:00
  
  Gardeners' Question Time—The Donkey Sanctuary: Drought, Biodiversity and Resilient Planting
  
  Peter Gibbs hosts GQT from The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth.
7. 14:45
  
  New Storytellers—New Storytellers, My Toy Soldier
  
  2/40 At just 11 inches long, smaller than an action toy soldier, Thomas battles for survival.
8. 15:00
  
  Drama on 4—Midnight Cowboy, Episode 2
  
  2/2 Joe Buck, a naïve young Texan, leaves his dead-end job to be a hustler in 1960s New York.
9. 16:00
  
  Take Four Books—Colson Whitehead
  
  The New York writer on his latest novel - Cool Machine - and its three key influences.
10. 16:30
  
  Brain of Britain—Brain of Britain - Heat 6, 2026
  
  General knowledge quiz. Spotlights on Angela Merkel, the Incas, Brunel and mustard.
11. 17:00
  
  Witness History—The making of the Third Man: A film noir classic
  
  In 1948, filming began in Austria on one of the greatest British films of all time.
12. 17:10
  
  Understand—All Kinds of Minds, 1. The Language of Neurodiversity
  
  1/4 How is the language of neurodiversity changing the way we understand difference?
13. 17:54
  
  Shipping Forecast—30/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  
  Weather—30/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Burnham Announces Changes To Prisoner Release Scheme
  
  Andy Burnham pledges to keep hundreds more criminals behind bars
2. 18:15
  
  Pick of the Week—Jay Hulme
  
  Jay Hulme presents a weekly selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—30/08/2026
  
  Fallon feels out of place.
4. 19:15
  
  Illuminated—Bouncing off the Walls: A Prison Soundscape
  
  Ric Renton explores the meaning of sound in prison, both to inmates and prison officers.
5. 19:45
  
  Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley—Get Skipping
  
  How skipping could improve your muscle power and strengthen your bones.
6. 20:00
  
  Word of Mouth—Gaelic
  
  Gaelic in Scotland with writer and broadcaster Roddy Maclean talking to Michael Rosen.
7. 20:30
  
  Last Word—Dolly Parton: From the Smoky Mountains to Glastonbury Legend
  
  Also, journalist Dierdre McSharry, Professor Pat Easterling and rugby's Sir Billy Boston.
8. 21:00
  
  Money Box—New Bailiff Rule and 10p Coins
  
  A new 10p coin celebrates King Charles' love of nature.
9. 21:25
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Mesothelioma UK
  
  Broadcaster Carolyn Quinn makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Mesothelioma UK.
10. 21:30
  
  From Our Own Correspondent—Germany's far-right AFD eyes first state win
  
  Saxony-Anhalt has seen a surge in support for the AfD ahead of the September 6 election.
11. 22:00
  
  Westminster Hour—Parliament's return, electoral reform and the political significance of the Bayeux Tapestry
  
  Ben Wright and guests look ahead to a new season in politics.
12. 23:00
  
  Great Lives—Jessica Fostekew on Boudica
  
  Comedian Jessica Fostekew nominates the ancient English warrior queen, Boudica.
13. 23:30
  
  Hoax—3. The Toad Kisser
  
  A scientist with a toad collection is embroiled in a global scientific culture war.
14. 23:45
  
  Short Works—A Fight Almost Breaks out in the Waiting Room But Subsides Like a Wave by Claire Carroll
  
  Tempers rise as a group of actors wait for an audition. But what are they auditioning for?
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Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—31/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Crossing Continents—Brazil’s gambling addiction
  
  Millions of Brazilians have become problem gamblers after an explosion in online betting.
3. 00:45
  
  Bells on Sunday—All Saints church in Little Cornard, Suffolk
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from All Saints church in Little Cornard, Suffolk
4. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—31/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
5. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—31/08/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
6. 05:00
  
  News Summary—31/08/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  
  Last Word—Dolly Parton: From the Smoky Mountains to Glastonbury Legend
  
  Also, journalist Dierdre McSharry, Professor Pat Easterling and rugby's Sir Billy Boston.
8. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—31/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
9. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—No comment
  
  A reflection and prayer to start the day with Canon Simon Doogan
10. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—31/08/2026: Wildlife corridors
  
  Anna Hill discovers farmer-created wildlife corridors across Norfolk.
11. 05:57
  
  Weather—31/08/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers

Monday 31 August 2026