BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Sunday 31 May 2026

Schedule

Skip to:

On air
Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—31/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  Take Four Books—Deborah Levy
  On her new novel - My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein - and its three key influences.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—31/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—31/05/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:30
  News Summary—31/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—31/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:43
  Bells on Sunday—St Gregory Morville in Shropshire.
  Bells on Sunday comes from St Gregory Morville in Shropshire.
8. 05:45
  In Touch—Audio Description on Streaming Platforms
  Does audio description from streamers hit the spot for our visually impaired users?
Back to top
Morning
1. 06:00
  News Summary—31/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 06:05
  Thinking Allowed—Suicide, Society and Liveability
  What shapes a life that feels worth living? How Durkheim's research is being rethought
3. 06:35
  On Your Farm—Farming with Artificial Intelligence
  New tenant farmers putting artificial intelligence at the heart of their business.
4. 06:57
  Weather—31/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  News and Papers—31/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 07:10
  On air
  Listen live
  Sunday—Papal Encyclical; Biblical Diets; Human Composting
  Papal encyclical; Biblical diets; human composting.
  Listen live
7. 07:54
  Radio 4 Appeal—Carers Worldwide
  Broadcaster Jo Whiley makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Carers Worldwide
8. 07:57
  Weather—31/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
9. 08:00
  News and Papers—31/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
10. 08:10
  Sunday Worship—Hail Smiling Morn - Whit Friday in Saddleworth
  A celebration of the Saddleworth Whit Walks and brass band contest.
11. 08:48
  Witness History—Isabel Allende: The House of the Spirits
  In 1982, Isabel Allende published her bestselling novel, The House of the Spirits
12. 08:58
  Tweet of the Day—Mike Dilger on the Whimbrel
  Naturalist Mike Dilger on his appreciation for whimbrels as they migrate across the UK.
13. 09:00
  Broadcasting House—31/05/2026
  The Sunday morning news magazine programme. Presented by Paddy O'Connell
14. 10:00
  Desert Island Discs—Guy Martin, presenter and former motorcycle racer
  Guy Martin, TV presenter, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
15. 11:00
  The Archers Omnibus—31/05/2026
  Adam has a fight on his hands, and Natasha makes plans for the future.
Back to top
Afternoon
1. 12:15
  Profile—Itamar Ben-Gvir
  Israel's national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
2. 12:30
  The Unbelievable Truth—Series 33, 5. Punishments, Comedy, Hotels and Cars
  5/6Alan Davies, Celya AB, Ian Smith and Angela Barnes try to find the hidden truths.
3. 12:57
  Weather—31/05/2026
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  The World This Weekend—31/05/2026
  A look at the week's big stories and preview of the week to come.
5. 13:30
  Currently—Unlocked: Britain’s Prison Crisis
  Recruitment from West Africa has thrown into focus the crisis reshaping Britain’s prisons.
6. 14:00
  Gardeners' Question Time—RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 - At the Bandstand
  GQT returns to the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show Bandstand.
7. 14:45
  Opening Lines—Moon Tiger
  John Yorke explores Penelope Lively’s dazzling classic novel Moon Tiger.
8. 15:00
  Drama on 4—Moon Tiger
  Dramatisation of Penelope Lively’s Booker Prize-winning novel. Starring Geraldine James.
9. 16:00
  Take Four Books—Imani Thompson
  On her debut novel, Honey, and three literary works that helped shape it.
10. 16:30
  Bookmarks—31/05/2026
  A brand-new quiz about books hosted by Clare Balding.
11. 17:00
  Witness History—The creation of My Little Pony
  In 1983, American toymaker Bonnie Zacherle's pony design hit the market.
12. 17:10
  The Verb—31/05/2026
  Radio 4's poetry programme presented by Ian McMillan
13. 17:54
  Shipping Forecast—31/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  Weather—31/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecast
Back to top
Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—31/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 18:15
  Pick of the Week—Elizabeth Alker
  Elizabeth Alker presents a weekly selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—31/05/2026
  Tensions mount for Rex.
4. 19:15
  Illuminated—Voices from the Beach
  Chance encounters and unexpected conversations on the beach with poet Saili Katebe.
5. 19:45
  Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley—Cook Tomatoes
  How cooked tomatoes could help your heart, your skin, and even reduce your risk of cancer.
6. 20:00
  Word of Mouth—Words to Love the Living World
  Michael Rosen and Ella Frances Sanders on her dictionary of language, landscape and life.
7. 20:30
  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.
8. 21:00
  Money Box—Civil Service Pension Debacle and Cheaper Energy?
  Union calls for Capita to lose its contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme
9. 21:25
  Radio 4 Appeal—Carers Worldwide
  Broadcaster Jo Whiley makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Carers Worldwide
10. 21:30
  From Our Own Correspondent—Cuba's Collapsing Revolution
  As Cubans struggle with the US fuel blockade, the revolutionary spirit is under strain
11. 22:00
  Westminster Hour—The latest from Westminster plus, what is 'progressive politics'?
  Radio 4's Sunday night political discussion programme.
12. 23:00
  In Our Time—The Welsh Marches
  How the Norman invasion of Britain created semi-independent warlord territories in Wales.
13. 23:45
  Short Works—Under the Mountain by Richard Smyth
  A new story from Richard Smyth about a writer persisting under the shadow of a mountain.
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—01/06/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  Crossing Continents—Sierra Leone: the diamond that saved a thousand lives
  The diamond that brought light, a school and healthcare to one African village.
3. 00:45
  Bells on Sunday—St Gregory Morville in Shropshire.
  Bells on Sunday comes from St Gregory Morville in Shropshire.
4. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—01/06/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
5. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—01/06/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
6. 05:00
  News Summary—01/06/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  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.
8. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—01/06/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
9. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—The Seemingly Humble Bagel
  Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection with Leon Litvack
10. 05:45
  Farming Today—01/06/26 Cost of wildfires, methane from sheep, upland farming
  Mega wildfires - UK is the latest member of a club no one wants to join.
11. 05:57
  Weather—01/06/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers