Schedule
Early
00:00
Midnight News—23/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:30
Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1939 and 2026: The Furies of War
10/10The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler
00:48
Shipping Forecast—23/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—23/05/2026
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
05:30
News Summary—23/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:34
Shipping Forecast—23/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
05:43
Prayer for the Day—From despair to respair
A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Mark Oakley.
05:45
The Hackers—Series 1, Aaron
5/10Biella explores the legacy of Aaron Swartz on the hacker community.
- Back to top
Morning
06:00
News and Papers—23/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
06:07
Ramblings—Bailies of Bennachie
Clare heads up Mither Tap, a distinctive hill in the Bennachie range.
06:30
Farming Today—23/05/26 Farming Today This Week: red diesel, Gulf trade deal, Climate Change Committee report, regen tenancies, flowers.
We ask what the latest government cost of living measures mean for farmers.
06:57
Weather—23/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecast
07:00
Today—23/05/2026
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
09:00
Saturday Live—LIVE at the Hay Festival - Hugh Bonneville, Martha Kearney, Matt Haig, and the Inheritance Tracks of Prue Leith
Adrian Chiles is joined by a veteran broadcaster, literary polymath… and Paddington’s dad.
10:00
The History Podcast—Sixty Years of Hurt, 2. England v Mavericks
2/6The mavericks - talent that doesn’t play by the rules - and their impact on the game.
10:30
Legend—The Miles Davis Story, 1. Don't Call Me Legend
1/5Clarke Peters on how the teenage Miles Davis discovered his radical new sound in New York.
11:00
The Week in Westminster—23/05/2026
George Parker of the Financial Times assesses the latest developments from Westminster.
11:30
From Our Own Correspondent—Afghanistan: Shaiqa's story
A father makes an unenviable decision in order to fund his daughter's medical treatment.
- Back to top
Afternoon
12:00
News Summary—23/05/2026
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
12:04
Money Box—Carers' Pensions and Face-to-Face Banking
How caring for a loved one can impact your pension.
12:30
The News Quiz—Series 120, 6. Brexpressionism
6/8Why are we talking about Brexit again?
12:57
Weather—23/05/2026
The latest weather forecast
13:00
News—23/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
13:10
Any Questions?—Chris Curtis MP, Mariella Frostrup, Damian Hinds MP, Mark Littlewood
Alex Forsyth presents political debate from Warminster Civic Centre in Wiltshire.
14:05
Any Answers?—23/05/2026
Listeners respond to the issues raised in the preceding edition of Any Questions?
14:45
The Archers—22/05/2026
The partnership meeting arrives.
15:00
Spotlight—Lola vs Powerman
Kinks icon Ray Davies and Paul Sirett's allegorical drama about the music industry.
16:30
Woman's Hour—Weekend Woman’s Hour: Dawn French, Alexis Ohanian, Ladies loos on stage
Comedian, actor and writer Dawn French on her latest novel, Enough.
17:00
PM—Cautious optimism from Rubio on Iran ceasefire
US secretary of state says they may announce ‘something soon’.
17:30
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson—'What the hell are we doing?' Wes Streeting on his promise to young people, resigning from government, and wanting to be PM
Labour leadership contender and former health secretary Wes Streeting.
17:54
Shipping Forecast—23/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
17:57
Weather—23/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecast
- Back to top
Evening
18:00
Six O'Clock News—Government reviewer wants 'complete reset' for young people
Author says 25 times more spent on benefits for young people than helping them into work
18:15
Loose Ends—Hay Festival, Athena Kugblenu, James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Keith Cameron, Robin Morgan, Georgina Hayden, Cerys Hafna
Clive Anderson and guests, recorded at the Hay Festival.
19:00
Profile—Rhun ap Iorwerth
The new Welsh first minister.
19:15
This Cultural Life—George Saunders
Booker Prize-winning American author George Saunders reveals his cultural influences.
20:00
Archive on 4—The Sound of Soft Power
Radio’s international art of persuasion
21:00
Understand—Rinsed (2/2)
What's happening to our rivers is a real stinker of a scandal. Kate Lamble investigates.
22:00
News—23/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
22:15
The Food Programme—The BBC Food & Farming Awards 2026 Launch: Belfast here we come
Jaega Wise travels to the Balmoral Show in Northern Ireland to launch this year's awards.
23:00
Hajj & Seek
Comedian Ali Shahalom takes on Hajj, exploring faith, family and total chaos in 50°C heat.
23:30
Round Britain Quiz—7. Wales and Scotland - Third place play-off
The battle for third place in the contest of lateral thinking, chaired by Kirsty Lang.
- Back to top
Late
00:00
Midnight News—24/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:15
Take Four Books—Katie Kitamura
On her Booker-shortlisted novel, Audition, and how it connects to three other works.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—24/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—24/05/2026
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
05:30
News Summary—24/05/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:34
Shipping Forecast—24/05/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
05:43
Bells on Sunday—The church of St Michael Cornhill in the City of London
Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St Michael Cornhill in the City of London
05:45
In Touch—Probing the SEND Reforms, RNIB Newsagent Service
We discuss concerns about the SEND reforms and the recent RNIB Newsagent outage.
