BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 15 October 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—15/10/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Sideways—Appetite for Distraction, 3. Medium and Metaphor
  
  Matthew Syed asks what it means to be distracted in a media world vying for our attention.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—15/10/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—15/10/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—15/10/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  Yesterday in Parliament—15/10/2026
  
  News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—15/10/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—The race for Library prefect
  
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Jo Moir, head of Spring Harvest.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—15/10/26 Succession
  
  The Archers at 75: will family farms survive the next 75 years?
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  Today—15/10/2026
  
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  
  In Our Time—The Battle of Antietam
  
  The American Civil War battle that prompted Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.
3. 09:45
  
  Strong Message Here—Handcuffed to a Zombie (with Tom Peck)
  
  Has civil war turned into open war on the British right?
4. 10:00
  
  Woman's Hour—Grok deepfake images, Educating Afghan girls, Runner Esmée Gummer
  
  Women take their own legal action after a lack of enforcement over 2025 Grok image abuse.
5. 11:00
  
  The Infinite Monkey Cage—Series 35, The First Britons - Tim Minchin, Prof Chris Stringer and Dr Selina Brace
  
  Jessica Fostekew and Adam Rutherford step back and encounter the first people in Britain.
6. 11:45
  
  Winnie-the-Pooh 100—Christopher Robin Leads an Expotition to the North Pole by AA Milne
  
  Read by Toby Jones and celebrating a century of Pooh.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  News Summary—15/10/2026
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  
  The Bottom Line—Are Subscriptions a Good Deal?
  
  Subscriptions are booming. Why are companies keen to sign us up, and what makes us stay?
3. 12:32
  
  Sliced Bread—Eye Drops
  
  Which eye drops are best for dry eyes?
4. 12:57
  
  Weather—15/10/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  
  World at One—Former DUP leader sentenced to 15 years in prison for child sex abuse including rape
  
  Jeffrey Donaldson abused two women when they were children, between 1985 and 2008.
6. 13:45
  
  Farming Today—15/10/26 Succession
  
  The Archers at 75: will family farms survive the next 75 years?
7. 14:00
  
  The Archers—14/10/2026
  
  Stella puts her foot in it.
8. 14:15
  
  Celtic Christie—Hidden Treasures
  
  By Jan Carson. An original drama inspired by Agatha Christie's time on the Isle of Man.
9. 15:00
  
  Ramblings—From Limpsfield Common to Everest with David Sullivan
  
  Clare explores Limpsfield Common with David Sullivan to hear about his Everest adventure
10. 15:27
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Medair UK
  
  Andrew Marr makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Medair UK.
11. 15:30
  
  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.
12. 16:00
  
  The Briefing Room—How will climate change affect our farms?
  
  Will we still be able to grow enough food as temperatures rise and rain patterns change?
13. 16:30
  
  BBC Inside Science—The climate changing power of 400 billion toasters
  
  How can we to compete against a natural force with the power of 25 atomic bombs?
14. 17:00
  
  PM—Ben Wallace: Trump "wants Russia to win" Ukraine war
  
  The former defence secretary says President Trump's cooling on Kyiv should "worry us all".
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Jeffrey Donaldson jailed for 15 years
  
  The former DUP leader was convicted of a series of child sex offences, including rape
2. 18:30
  
  Do Gooders—Series 1, 2. The Walk
  
  2/6 The team head to Wales for Clive’s Alzheimers memory walk.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—15/10/2026
  
  Freddie’s feelings are hurt.
4. 19:15
  
  Front Row—Review Show: Kristin Scott Thomas in Chekhov's play The Cherry Orchard
  
  Plus survival thriller Whalefall and Elif Shafak's novel about Gustave Flaubert.
5. 20:00
  
  When It Hits the Fan—Evri's Battle with WhatsApp PR
  
  David Yelland and Farzana Baduel on Evri's struggle to win over the group chats.
6. 20:15
  
  The Media Show—Russell T Davies, and reporting on when the BBC gets it wrong
  
  An extended interview with acclaimed screenwriter and producer Russell T Davies.
7. 21:00
  
  Loose Ends—Craig Revel Horwood, Roachford, Chloe Petts, Si King
  
  Stuart Maconie and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
8. 21:45
  
  Strong Message Here—Handcuffed to a Zombie (with Tom Peck)
  
  Has civil war turned into open war on the British right?
9. 22:00
  
  The World Tonight—Wes Streeting says US will continue to back Ukraine
  
  Defence Secretary meets US counterpart in Washington DC as Trump-Zelensky row continues
10. 22:45
  
  Who Are You in Winnie-the-Pooh?—Tigger
  
  4/5 Frank Cottrell-Boyce talks with Cressida Cowell and Michael Rosen about Tigger.
11. 23:00
  
  Radical with Gabriel Gatehouse—End Times Capitalism: How Much Wealth Is Too Much Wealth? (Activist Naomi Klein)
  
  The author and activist on her career and fears about the end of the world
12. 23:30
  
  Today in Parliament—15/10/2026
  
  Minister faces calls to apologise over “Glastonbury-ticket scramble” for farm payments.
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—16/10/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Sideways—Appetite for Distraction, 4. Attention Shortfall?
  
  Matthew Syed asks what it means to be distracted in a media world vying for our attention.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—16/10/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—16/10/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—16/10/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  Yesterday in Parliament—16/10/2026
  
  Susan Hulme reports as the farming minister faces MPs' anger over farm payments.
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—16/10/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Who do you think you are?
  
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Jo Moir, head of Spring Harvest.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—16/10/26 What will a farmer be?
  
  The Archers at 75: what will it mean to be a farmer in the next 75 years?

Friday 16 October 2026