BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 30 April 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—30/04/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  To the Edge of the World by Tilar J Mazzeo—Episode 3
  3/51856 Mary Ann Patten's seamanship is tested when her husband falls critically ill.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—30/04/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—30/04/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—30/04/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—30/04/2026
  News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—30/04/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Mentorship or friendship?
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Furaha Mussanzi.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—30/04/26 Agro-forestry pioneer, Welsh election, decline in dawn chorus birds
  Why the key to resilient farming could be trees.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—30/04/2026
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  In Our Time—Cybernetics
  The origins and lasting influences of the study of communication in animals and machines.
3. 09:45
  Strong Message Here—Game On (with Natalie Haynes)
  War memes, prediction markets, protecting your streaks - is everything a game now?
4. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—Philippa Perry, Antisemitism, Undiagnosed children, Simone Pennant
  Artist and psychotherapist Philippa Perry on writing a cosy crime novel in her late 60s.
5. 11:00
  This Cultural Life—Lubaina Himid
  Artist Lubaina Himid reveals her formative influences.
6. 11:45
  To the Edge of the World by Tilar J Mazzeo—Episode 4
  4/51856: At just 19 years old, Mary Ann Patten captains a merchant clipper ship.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—30/04/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  Scam Secrets—The Podcast Scam
  An elaborate hoax that all sounds so real.
3. 12:32
  Sliced Bread—Vibration Plates
  Can vibration plates boost fitness, bone density, and even lymphatic drainage?
4. 12:57
  Weather—30/04/2026
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  World at One—Golders Green stabbing suspect was known to Prevent
  The man suspected of yesterday's attack was referred to the counter-terrorism programme.
6. 13:45
  Second-Hand Stories—Grace & The White Album
  4/5James Peak buys old things for Tony's antiques stall in Enfield Town, and hears stories…
7. 14:00
  The Archers—29/04/2026
  Bert doesn’t want to be alone.
8. 14:15
  Drama on 4—King's Pawn, The Prince and the Peloton
  3/3Comedy drama series set in a Cardiff pawn shop. With Lisa Palfrey and Julian Lewis Jones.
9. 15:00
  Open Country—Roadside Verges
  Martha Kearney explores the forgotten and neglected world of roadside verges.
10. 15:27
  Radio 4 Appeal—National Youth Theatre of Great Britain
  Hugh Bonneville makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of the National Youth Theatre
11. 15:30
  Feedback—Fergal Keane, Doing Death Differently, and Visualisation
  Andrea Catherwood talks to Foreign Correspondent Fergal Keane as he leaves the BBC.
12. 16:00
  The Briefing Room—Can Europe build digital sovereignty?
  Europe relies on US tech but can it find away to wean itself off it?
13. 16:30
  BBC Inside Science—Why is Europe the fastest-warming continent?
  We explore the mechanisms causing Europe's warming twice as fast as the global average.
14. 17:00
  PM—Golders Green suspect named
  The attacker had been referred to Prevent. Is it fit for purpose?
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—UK terrorism threat level raised to 'severe'
  It follows the stabbing attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green
2. 18:30
  Stand-Up Specials—Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club S2, S2 E2: Angry Middle-Aged White Men
  2/4Geoff asks why middle-aged white men are so angry online.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—30/04/2026
  Natasha sees an opportunity.
4. 19:15
  Front Row—Review: Spanish master Zurbarán at the National Gallery
  The House of the Spirits series & play Please Please Me about Brian Epstein & The Beatles
5. 20:00
  When It Hits the Fan—Trouble at the FBI
  David Yelland and Farzana Baduel on how to fight claims of going missing in action.
6. 20:15
  The Media Show—King Charles's US visit, attacks on journalists, I'm a Celeb editing row
  This is the programme about a revolution in media.
7. 21:00
  Loose Ends—Cammy Barnes, Chris Forbes, Edith Bowman, Danielle Jam, Alys Williams, Ant Thomaz
  Edith Bowman and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
8. 21:45
  Strong Message Here—Game On (with Natalie Haynes)
  War memes, prediction markets, protecting your streaks - is everything a game now?
9. 22:00
  The World Tonight—UK terrorism threat level raised to 'severe' following Golders Green stabbings
  The raised threat level suggests an attack is highly likely in the next six months
10. 22:45
  The Prisoner by Sally Carson—Episode 4
  4/10The sequel to Sally Carson’s rediscovered masterpiece Crooked Cross.
11. 23:00
  Radical with Amol Rajan—Going for Growth: Can We Make Britain Wealthy Again? (Matt Clifford)
  The former AI advisor to No 10 argues that technology is essential for Britain’s future.
12. 23:30
  Soul Music—Northern Sky
  Exploring why Nick Drake's song from the album Bryter Layter means so much to so many.
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—01/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  To the Edge of the World by Tilar J Mazzeo—Episode 4
  4/51856: At just 19 years old, Mary Ann Patten captains a merchant clipper ship.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—01/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—01/05/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—01/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  The Briefing Room—Can Europe build digital sovereignty?
  Europe relies on US tech but can it find away to wean itself off it?
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—01/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Honeymoon from hell?
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Furaha Mussanzi.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—01/05/2026 Farmers hoping for rain, English council elections, hedgerows
  The farmers hoping for a wet bank holiday weekend.

Friday 1 May 2026