BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Friday 29 May 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—29/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Frostlines by Neil Shea—Episode 4
  4/5The vast numbers of caribou that have sustained so many for so long are in decline.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—29/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—29/05/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—29/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Rethink—Rethink... the Humanities
  Should we be rethinking the humanities for a digital age?
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—29/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Stop Messin’ About!
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Mark Oakley.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—29/05/26 Water abstraction, food inflation, local food systems.
  Will the record breaking heat hit farmers irrigation plans this summer?
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—29/05/2026
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  Desert Island Discs—Emily Watson, actor
  Emily Watson, actor, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
3. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—Baroness Jacqui Smith, Global manosphere, Working from bed
  The Minister for Skills and Women and Equalities on rising numbers of NEETs.
4. 11:00
  The Food Programme—The Price of Food
  The food industry is predicting double digit inflation. What can be done?
5. 11:45
  Frostlines by Neil Shea—Episode 5
  5/5In the Norwegian Arctic life is all about the border.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—29/05/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  Rare Earth—Leaving Fossil Fuels Behind
  Tom Heap and Helen Czerski ask whether war is accelerating the shift from fossil fuels
3. 12:57
  Weather—29/05/2026
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  World at One—A Russian drone explodes on Romania's border with Ukraine
  The foreign minister of Romania tells us how her country is responding.
5. 13:45
  Tick Tock: The Working Week in 5 Days—Friday
  5/5Phil Tinline charts the progression of the working week in 5 days. Today, TGIF.
6. 14:00
  The Archers—28/05/2026
  Natasha makes plans for the future.
7. 14:15
  Limelight—Wraith, Episode 4: Execute
  The AI is on the verge of total control. Iain, Mel, and the government face a hard choice.
8. 14:45
  The Hackers—Series 1, For the Lulz
  6/10Biella tells the story of how two teen hackers rattled South American governments.
9. 15:00
  Gardeners' Question Time—RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 - At the Bandstand
  GQT returns to the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show Bandstand.
10. 15:45
  Short Works—Under the Mountain by Richard Smyth
  A new story from Richard Smyth about a writer persisting under the shadow of a mountain.
11. 16:00
  Last Word—Clarence B Jones Judith Chalmers Dr Anna Ritchie Professor Frank Land
  Matthew Bannister on a lawyer, a broadcaster, an archaeologist and a computer pioneer.
12. 16:30
  More or Less—Does a fall in the UK's healthy life expectancy mean what you think it means?
  Tim Harford explores healthy life expectancy, HS2 costs, VAT cuts and his marathon time.
13. 17:00
  PM—Man admits assisting suicides by selling chemicals online
  Kenneth Law pleads guilty in Canada to 14 counts of assisting suicide.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—Romania drone crash prompts condemnation of Russia
  NATO is looking at how to improve drone defences after a block of flats in Romania is hit
2. 18:30
  The News Quiz—Series 120, 7. Heat and NEETs
  7/8Andy is back quizzing the week's news.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—29/05/2026
  Anna is surprised by an unexpected declaration.
4. 19:15
  Add to Playlist—Fiona Bevan and Keelan Carew mess around
  Fiona Bevan and Keelan Carew join Anna & Jeffrey to add five more tracks
5. 20:00
  Any Questions?—Hamish Falconer MP, Baroness Laing, George Monbiot, Richard Tice MP
  Alex Forsyth presents political debate from St Norbert's Community Hall in Spalding.
6. 20:55
  This Week in History—May 25th to May 31st
  Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
7. 21:00
  Free Thinking—Free Thinking at the Hay Festival: Responsibility
  Baroness Hale, Philippa Perry, Guto Harri and Simon Critchley join Shahidha Bari at Hay.
8. 22:00
  The World Tonight—Putin questions whether a Russian drone was responsible for Romania apartment strike
  The Russian President says it was likely a Ukrainian drone that hit the block of flats
9. 22:45
  John of John by Douglas Stuart—Episode 5 - a còig
  5/10Douglas Stuart’s epic novel about belonging.
10. 23:00
  Americast—Does the US need new laws to protect elections?
  And, why does Donald Trump want to “nationalise” elections?
11. 23:30
  Soul Music—Fast Car
  Stories of personal connection to Tracy Chapman's hit song.
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—30/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Frostlines by Neil Shea—Episode 5
  5/5In the Norwegian Arctic life is all about the border.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—30/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—30/05/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:30
  News Summary—30/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—30/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Success is Fleeting
  Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection with Leon Litvack.
8. 05:45
  The Hackers—Series 1, For the Lulz
  6/10Biella tells the story of how two teen hackers rattled South American governments.

Saturday 30 May 2026