BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 8 October 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—08/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  To Go or Not to Go by Sara Wheeler—3. Frozen Beards
  3/5Do women approach travel differently to men?
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—08/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—08/10/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—08/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  More or Less—Is the UK state pension really the lowest in Europe?
  Tim Harford investigates UK pensions, Russia’s GDP and heatwave deaths.
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—08/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—October Joy
  A reflection and prayer to start the day with Ruth Jennings.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—08/10/2926: Fly tipping, History of barbed wire, Energy from heat
  Fly tipping, history of barbed wire, energy from heat.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—08/10/2026
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  In Our Time—Megalosaurus
  The 'great lizard' that changed how we understood the history of life on our planet.
3. 09:45
  Strong Message Here—Super Intelligence (with Stewart Lee and Carole Cadwalladr)
  A look at the rebrand of AI. Is it really super?
4. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—Consent, Top Fuel drag racing, Grey hair
  Consent - why do so many women feel unable to say no in a sexual encounter?
5. 11:00
  This Cultural Life—Viet Thanh Nguyen
  Author and academic Viet Thanh Nguyen on his formative influences and experiences.
6. 11:45
  To Go or Not to Go by Sara Wheeler—4. Their Hearts Were Hot
  4/5Can extraordinary stories from past women travellers unlock Sara’s motives for travel?
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—08/10/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  The Bottom Line—Germany: From Wunder to Woe
  What's going wrong with the largest economy in Europe?
3. 12:32
  Sliced Bread—Mushroom Gummies
  Can mushroom gummies really sharpen your mind, reduce stress, and boost your energy?
4. 12:57
  Weather—08/10/2026
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  World at One—Most British diplomats to leave Jerusalem consulate
  The UK acted under pressure from Israel.
6. 13:45
  The Turning Point—A Band of Brothers
  What happens when a group of men gather to share their most vulnerable feelings?
7. 14:00
  The Archers—07/10/2026
  Clarrie’s concerns bubble to the surface.
8. 14:15
  Drama on 4—A Place Called Home, 6. The Emperor
  6/6A property developer seeks refuge with an old friend. What is he hiding from?
9. 15:00
  Ramblings—Ham and Petersham, Richmond upon Thames
  Clare joins Zoe Mallett and Rose Eskafi for a walk in Richmond, London.
10. 15:27
  Radio 4 Appeal—PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools)
  Singer Sabrina Washington makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of PEAS.
11. 15:30
  Feedback—BBC Radio Cuts, Charter Renewal, and Welcome to Defiance.
  At the start of a new series, Andrea Catherwood discusses a new raft of cuts to BBC Radio.
12. 16:00
  The Briefing Room—Why does the Yemen war matter to the world?
  The Saudi-backed Yemen government and the Houthi rebels have resumed fighting.
13. 16:30
  BBC Inside Science—Will AI complete mathematics?
  What next for the world of maths after a major intrusion by AI?
14. 17:00
  PM—Police accept the wrong warrants were used to search Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's homes.
  The former prince is taking legal action against Thames Valley Police.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—Police accept Andrew search warrants were unlawful
  Andrew Mountbatten Windsor wins the first round of his legal case
2. 18:30
  Do Gooders—Series 1, 1. The Team Player
  1/6A new sitcom exploring the frustrations of charity fundraising by Garrett Millerick.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—08/10/2026
  Anna stumbles upon some shocking information.
4. 19:15
  Front Row—Review Show: The Social Reckoning, The 90s at Tate Britain and reaction to Nobel Prize winner Anne Carson
  Plus Barbara Kingsolver's new novel Partita.
5. 20:00
  When It Hits the Fan—'The Race We Can't Afford to Lose'
  David Yelland and Farzana Baduel on big tech's battle for our hearts and minds.
6. 20:15
  The Media Show—Reporting on the Cornell rape investigation; Woman’s Hour at 80; Anneka Rice
  How did student, national and social media report on the Cornell rape investigation?
7. 21:00
  Loose Ends—Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Tim Minchin, Kate Mosse, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Harriet Kemsley
  Clive Anderson and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
8. 21:45
  Strong Message Here—Super Intelligence (with Stewart Lee and Carole Cadwalladr)
  A look at the rebrand of AI. Is it really super?
9. 22:00
  The World Tonight—Polls close in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election
  Voting ends in by-election to choose a new MP to succeed Sir Keir Starmer
10. 22:45
  Stations by Louise Kennedy—Episode 9
  9/10Róisín tracks down the last person to see her friend alive.
11. 23:00
  Radical with Gabriel Gatehouse—Cost of Living: Should Government Pay For Life's Essentials? (Anna Coote)
  The case for universal basic services.
12. 23:30
  Great Lives—Mel Giedroyc on Vera Gedroits
  Famous guests pick someone they love or admire.
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—09/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  To Go or Not to Go by Sara Wheeler—4. Their Hearts Were Hot
  4/5Can extraordinary stories from past women travellers unlock Sara’s motives for travel?
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—09/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—09/10/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—09/10/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  The Briefing Room—Why does the Yemen war matter to the world?
  The Saudi-backed Yemen government and the Houthi rebels have resumed fighting.
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—09/10/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Show Off
  A reflection and prayer to start the day with Ruth Jennings.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—09/10/26 Drought aftermath, Cornish hedges, SNP conference, AI and farming
  Counting the cost of drought on this year's harvest.

Friday 9 October 2026