BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 1 January 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—01/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton—Ultimate Trust
  4/5Chloe Dalton’s memoir about her unlikely and transformative relationship with a wild hare.
3. 00:30
  Larkin Revisited—To the Sea
  Simon Armitage explores Philip Larkin's poem To the Sea.
4. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—01/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
5. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—01/01/2026
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
6. 05:00
  News Summary—01/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  More or Less—Numbers of the Year 2025
  A plethora of interesting numbers you may not know about.
8. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—01/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
9. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—A New Start Every Day
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with singer and musician Ruth Jennings.
10. 05:45
  Farming Today—01/01/26 Isaac Fletcher's Farming Diaries
  The farming diaries of an 18th-century yeoman farmer.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Archive on 4—How the Muppet Show Began in Britain
  Louise Gold celebrates The Muppet Show’s anarchic birth in Britain in the mid-1970s.
2. 07:00
  Today—01/01/2026
  The launch of our Today's Babies series looking at parenthood of early years children.
3. 09:00
  The Media Show—How to Make a Hit TV Show
  TV’s top format-makers reveal what works, and what doesn't, in unscripted TV.
4. 09:45
  Strong Message Here—Listeners' Strong Messages (with Stewart Lee)
  Stewart joins Armando as they dip into the listeners' mailbag.
5. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—Woman's Hour celebrates the women of The Archers
  We mark the 75th anniversary of the world's longest-running continuing drama.
6. 11:00
  This Cultural Life—Ricky Gervais
  Comedian and writer Ricky Gervais reveals his formative creative influences.
7. 11:45
  Larkin Revisited—Going, Going
  Simon Armitage explores Philip Larkin's poem Going, Going.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  Pick of the Year—Pick of the Year 2025 (Parts 1&2)
  Jeanette Winterson presents a selection of audio highlights from 2025 across the BBC.
2. 13:00
  World at One—Several dozen presumed dead in Swiss fire
  Around 100 are injured, with "several nationalities" involved.
3. 13:45
  An Almanac for Anxiety: In Search of a Calmer Mind—Episode 4 - Air
  Exploring how interacting with the natural elements can improve mental wellbeing.
4. 14:00
  The Archers—31/12/2025
  George goes on the rampage with shocking consequences
5. 14:20
  Artworks—The Farmer's Guide to Animal Farm
  Why George Orwell's political satire also reveals his commitment to agricultural debates.
6. 14:50
  This Week in History—1 January 1951 - Celebrating 75 Years of The Archers
  1 January 1951 - The Archers is launched. What was life in Britain like on that day?
7. 15:00
  This Natural Life—Kiri Pritchard-McLean
  Comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean takes Martha Kearney to visit her favourite island.
8. 15:27
  Radio 4 Appeal—Snow Camp
  Chemmy Alcott makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Snow Camp
9. 15:30
  Illuminated—Hearing Aids
  Poet Paul Farley faces up to the fact that it’s time to address his hearing loss.
10. 16:00
  Ramblings—Camino Memories in Penicuik
  A veteran of multiple Camino pilgrimages tells Clare what keeps drawing him back to Spain
11. 16:30
  BBC Inside Science—Answering Celebrity Science Questions
  From what came before the big bang to why snowflakes are six sided.
12. 17:00
  PM—Swiss authorities: 'around 40' killed in ski resort bar fire
  One hundred and fifteen others have been injured in Crans-Montana. We have the latest.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—A fire at a Swiss ski resort kills around 40 people
  The fire broke out in a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.
2. 18:15
  Ian Hislop's Oldest Jokes—Series 1, Parody and Sir Topaz
  Ian Hislop's quest for British comedy originals celebrates Chaucer's brilliance at parody.
3. 18:30
  Bill Dare: Comedy Alchemist
  Hugh Dennis presents a tribute to the late Bill Dare.
4. 19:00
  The Archers—01/01/2026
  It's panic stations in Ambridge
5. 19:15
  The Archers: Truth and Lies
  Claire Skinner stars in a new drama written to mark the 75th anniversary of The Archers.
6. 20:00
  The Archers Podcast—Truth and Lies
  Emma Freud and guests discuss last night's events in Ambridge.
7. 20:30
  Illuminated—Bass Notes
  Jah Wobble explores a life immersed at the low end of the sonic spectrum.
8. 21:00
  Loose Ends—Maisie Adam; Elizabeth Alker; Jing Lusi; Stuart Maconie; Thea Gilmore; Singing In the Rain
  Stuart Maconie and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
9. 21:45
  Strong Message Here—Listeners' Strong Messages (with Stewart Lee)
  Stewart joins Armando as they dip into the listeners' mailbag.
10. 22:00
  The World Tonight—At least 40 killed in fire at Swiss ski resort
  115 injured, many with severe burns, as bar goes up in flames during New Year's party
11. 22:45
  A Long Winter by Colm Tóibín—Episode Four
  4/5Miquel’s father returns from town with an unexpected guest.
12. 23:00
  Radical with Amol Rajan—Radical History: Greek Gods, Roman Emperors and Religion (with Tom Holland from The Rest Is History)
  Historian and podcaster Tom Holland on the origins and evolution of radical ideas.
13. 23:30
  BBC National Short Story Award—BBC National Short Story Award 2025, Two Hands by Caoilinn Hughes
  Caoilinn Hughes' story is under consideration for the BBC National Short Story Award 2025.
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—02/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton—Secret Paths
  5/5Chloe Dalton’s memoir about her unlikely and transformative relationship with a wild hare.
3. 00:30
  Larkin Revisited—Bridge for the Living
  Simon Armitage explores Bridge for the Living.
4. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—02/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
5. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—02/01/2026
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
6. 05:00
  News Summary—02/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  Echo
  An elephant destined for fame, and a legacy that will echo in time.
8. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—02/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
9. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Loving the Sun
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with singer and musician Ruth Jennings.
10. 05:45
  Farming Today—02/01/26 Wildlife or Pest? The Wild Goats of Langholm Moor
  Wild goats: culling, conservation and controversy.

Friday 2 January 2026