BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Friday 17 July 2026

Schedule

Skip to:

Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—17/07/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Cash Cow by Alev Scott—Episode 4
  4/5Alev Scott decides to pose as potential customer – for a younger woman’s eggs.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—17/07/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—17/07/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—17/07/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—17/07/2026
  News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—17/07/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Choking Tomatoes
  An early morning reflection with the Rev Dr Karen Campbell
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—17/07/26 The Great Yorkshire Show
  The Great Yorkshire Show: farmers break off from an early harvest and head to Harrogate.
Back to top
Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—17/07/2026
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  Desert Island Discs—Paul Farmer, charity leader
  Paul Farmer, charity leader, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
3. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—Shabana Mahmood profiled, Make-up free photos, World Cup female lead medic
  How Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood might fare if she becomes Chancellor.
4. 11:00
  The Food Programme—Inside the Chocolate Crisis
  Cacao prices broke all records and then they crashed. Dan Saladino explores the fallout.
5. 11:45
  Cash Cow by Alev Scott—Episode 5
  5/5The legal ramifications of renting a womb require complex contracts.
Back to top
Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—17/07/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  AntiSocial—Speaking ill of the dead
  Is it ok to say what you like about a person after they have died?
3. 12:57
  Weather—17/07/2026
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  World at One—Andy Burnham confirmed as Labour's leader
  The MP for Makerfield will enter No 10 in days
5. 13:45
  New Storytellers—New Storytellers 2026, After Confession
  5/5Confessions don't end once spoken, they live in the people who hear them.
6. 14:00
  The Archers—16/07/2026
  Helen provides a shoulder to cry on.
7. 14:15
  Limelight—Central Intelligence: Series 3, Episode 2
  Britain sells buses to Cuba threatening to derail the special relationship.
8. 14:45
  Living on the Edge—Morecambe Bay
  Richard King goes fishing for shrimp in Morecambe Bay with Michael and Joanne Wilson.
9. 15:00
  Gardeners' Question Time—Birmingham: Bonsai, Black Elder, Blueberry and Bees
  Kathy Clugston and the GQT panel visit Birmingham.
10. 15:45
  Short Works—Afterdrop by Jane Fraser
  After her husband’s death, Sarah finds inspiration in a group of women sea-swimmers.
11. 16:00
  Last Word—Sam Neill: the silent child with a stutter who became a movie star
  Matthew Bannister on two actors, a musician and a chef.
12. 16:30
  Sideways—Small Giants
  Shrinking down the things that matter most, to something we can hold in our hand.
13. 17:00
  PM—Andy Burnham is officially Labour leader
  He'll become Prime Minister on Monday. What do we know about his plans for Number 10?
Back to top
Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—Andy Burnham takes over as leader of the Labour party
  Mr Burnham pledged to give 'hope back' to the country
2. 18:30
  Dead Ringers—Series 27, England out, Starmer out, School's out
  6/6The Dead Ringers team train their vocal firepower on the week’s news.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—17/07/2026
  Lynda faces a shocking accusation.
4. 19:15
  Screenshot—The Swinging Sixties
  Ellen and Mark revisit the decade that transformed Britain's image around the world.
5. 20:00
  Any Questions?—Baroness Bennett of Manor House, Baroness Coffey, Liam Halligan and Baroness Hazarika
  Alex Forsyth presents political debate from The Constable Memorial Hall, Suffolk.
6. 20:55
  This Week in History—July 13th - July 19th
  Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
7. 21:00
  Archive on 4—From Our Rome Correspondent
  The BBC's veteran Rome correspondent David Willey looks back at his 50-year career.
8. 22:00
  The World Tonight—Andy Burnham takes over leadership of the Labour Party
  Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham sets out his vision for the country
9. 22:45
  Kane by Edson Burton—Episode 5
  5/5A coming of age story set in an alternative world where slavery has never been abolished.
10. 23:00
  Americast—Will Trump's primetime speech help him challenge the midterm elections?
  Join Americast for insights and analysis on what's happening inside Trump's White House.
11. 23:30
  Today in Parliament—17/07/2026
  Susan Hulme with news and views from Westminster.
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—18/07/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Cash Cow by Alev Scott—Episode 5
  5/5The legal ramifications of renting a womb require complex contracts.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—18/07/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—18/07/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:30
  News Summary—18/07/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—18/07/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Natural Therapy
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Steve Taylor.
8. 05:45
  Living on the Edge—Morecambe Bay
  Richard King goes fishing for shrimp in Morecambe Bay with Michael and Joanne Wilson.