Schedule
Early
00:00
Midnight News—04/04/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:30
The Radio Universe—5. The Dark Side of the Moon
5/5From the ruins of Arecibo to the Dark Side of the Moon. Read by Jasmine Hyde.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—04/04/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—04/04/2026
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
05:30
News Summary—04/04/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:34
Shipping Forecast—04/04/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
05:43
Prayer for the Day—The Roman Centurion - a mystery to ponder
A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Bishop David Walker.
05:45
Lent Talks—Power and Community
A series of personal reflections on power.
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Morning
06:00
News and Papers—04/04/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
06:07
Open Country—In Celebration of the Daffodil
Martha Kearney is in Cambridgeshire to celebrate the humble daffodil.
06:30
Farming Today—04/04/2026 Farming Today This Week: Ferry disruption, fishing industry hit by fuel costs, lambing, wild daffodils
Warnings ferry service disruption putting animal welfare at risk on Scottish islands.
06:57
Weather—04/04/2026
The latest weather reports and forecast
07:00
Today—04/04/2026
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
09:00
Saturday Live—Bear Grylls, Music Composition, Flaming Feasts, and the Inheritance Tracks of Lesley Joseph
Bear Grylls joins Adrian for extraordinary stories from remarkable people.
10:00
Opening Lines—Celebrating Stoppard
John Yorke celebrates the radio dramas of Tom Stoppard.
10:15
Spotlight—Celebrating Stoppard: The Dissolution of Dominic Boot
Tom Stoppard's first play for BBC Radio. A man, a taxi and a mounting problem.
10:30
Artworks—Stoppard at Work
Actors, directors and more share insights on working with the playwright Tom Stoppard.
11:00
Radical with Amol Rajan—Rethinking Democracy: Would Citizens Do a Better Job than Politicians? (Hélène Landemore)
The Yale Political Theorist and author makes the case for citizen rule.
11:30
From Our Own Correspondent—Viktor Orbán's anti-Ukraine election gambit
The Hungarian PM is seeking re-election with tough rhetoric about Ukraine and the EU.
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Afternoon
12:00
News Summary—04/04/2026
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
12:04
Money Box—Pension Age Rise and April Tax Changes
Millions of people are set to work for longer as the State Pension age starts to rise.
12:30
The Naked Week—Series 4, Jesus Christ Superstarmer, and Dark Satanic Mills
5/6And was The Naked Week builded here, among these dark satanic Mills?
12:57
Weather—04/04/2026
The latest weather forecast
13:00
News—04/04/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
13:10
Any Questions?—Lord Falconer, Heledd Fychan MS, Ben Maguire MP, Dame Penny Mordaunt
James Cook presents political debate from Stanley Arts in Croydon, south London.
14:05
Any Answers?—04/04/2026
Listeners respond to the issues raised in the preceding edition of Any Questions?
14:45
The Archers—03/04/2026
Brian tries to speak to Miranda.
15:00
Spotlight—Celebrating Stoppard: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, 1. In the Wings
Tom Stoppard's comedy about two minor characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet.
16:00
Spotlight—Celebrating Stoppard: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, 2. Mission
Tom Stoppard's existential comedy about two minor characters from Hamlet.
17:00
PM—President Trump says Tehran has 48 hours to make a deal
The president pressures Iran as the search intensifies for a missing US crew airman.
17:30
Sliced Bread—Collagen (2026 update)
What's the latest on Collagen?
17:54
Shipping Forecast—04/04/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
17:57
Weather—04/04/2026
The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
18:00
Six O'Clock News—President Trump issues ultimatum to Iran
President Trump tells Iran to make a deal, or face Hell in 48 hours.
18:15
Loose Ends—Jen Brister, Angelique Kidjo, Giles Terera, Jojo Moyes, Tessa Rose Jackson
Clive Anderson and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
19:00
Profile—Jed Mercurio
The man with the midas touch, Jed Mercurio, one of the UK’s most successful screenwriters.
19:15
This Cultural Life—Don McCullin
Photographer Sir Don McCullin reveals his cultural influences and formative experiences.
20:00
Archive on 4—Tom Stoppard: Verbatim
Sir Tom Stoppard's life story in his own words.
21:00
Spotlight—Celebrating Stoppard: Darkside
A play for radio by Sir Tom Stoppard incorporating The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
22:00
News—04/04/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
22:15
The Food Programme—Generation Z
Jaega Wise investigates how economics and social media are effecting how young people eat.
23:00
The Matt Forde Focus Group—Series 2, 4. The Politics of Utopia
4/6Is the dream of a perfect society the most dangerous idea in politics?
23:30
Counterpoint—Series 39, Final, 2026
13/13The general knowledge music quiz chaired by Paul Gambaccini
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Late
00:00
Midnight News—05/04/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:15
Take Four Books—Yann Martel
The writer Yann Martel on his new novel, Son of Nobody, and its three literary influences.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—05/04/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—05/04/2026
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
05:30
News Summary—05/04/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:34
Shipping Forecast—05/04/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
05:43
Bells on Sunday—The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Wilfrid, Ripon in North Yorkshire
Bells on Sunday comes from the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Wilfrid, Ripon.
05:45
In Touch—Payment Card Accessibility, Changes to the Motability Scheme
UK Finance has recently published new guidance to improve payment card accessibility.
