BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 14 May 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—14/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1922-1924: A Slow Creep
  3/10The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—14/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—14/05/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—14/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—14/05/2026
  Alicia McCarthy reports on a very peculiar State Opening.
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—14/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—An offering for Ascension
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Marie-Elsa Bragg.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—14/05/26 New strategy to combat pig disease, farming issues in the King's Speech, sepsis risk for farmers
  New strategies for tackling African Swine Fever.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—14/05/2026
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  In Our Time—The Garamantes
  The ancient civilisation which thrived in the Sahara Desert over 2,000 years ago.
3. 09:45
  Strong Message Here—We Can't Go On Like This (with Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Ayesha Hazarika)
  Armando defies the naysayers with the programme of his life.
4. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—Loan sharks, Social media addiction, Canwen Xu
  Women are being forced to turn to loan sharks due to a form of economic abuse.
5. 11:00
  This Cultural Life—Felicity Lott
  Soprano Dame Felicity Lott talks to John Wilson about her distinguished career.
6. 11:45
  Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1925-1926: More Priest than Politician
  4/10The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—14/05/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  Scam Secrets—The Trial Shift Scam
  A group of jobseekers realise their identities have been stolen.
3. 12:32
  Sliced Bread—Cat Litter
  What kind of cat litter is best for cats, owners and the environment?
4. 12:57
  Weather—14/05/2026
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  World at One—Wes Streeting resigns
  Health secretary says he has lost confidence in the prime minister's leadership.
6. 13:45
  Understand—Rinsed, 4. Inkblot
  4/13We can all look the same picture, but what you make of it depends on who you are.
7. 14:00
  The Archers—13/05/2026
  Adam is seeking support.
8. 14:15
  Drama on 4—Flip!
  Racheal Ofori’s satire explores a world where algorithms make people disposable.
9. 15:00
  Open Country—Bluebird returns to Coniston
  Donald Campbell's restored Bluebird returns to Coniston Water in Cumbria.
10. 15:27
  Radio 4 Appeal—Opportunity International UK
  Afua Hagan makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Opportunity International UK
11. 15:30
  Word of Mouth—Oracy: We Need to Talk
  Michael Rosen talks to Amy Gaunt about how children are learning oracy, also known as talk
12. 16:00
  The Briefing Room—Ten years of The Briefing Room
  The Briefing Room looks back over the ten years since the programme started in May 2016.
13. 16:30
  BBC Inside Science—The science behind hantavirus
  What do we know about the disease following its outbreak on a cruise ship this month?
14. 17:00
  PM—Andy Burnham to stand in by-election
  The education secretary calls for her party to 'draw a line' under challenges to the PM.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—Andy Burnham says he will try to run for Parliament
  The Mayor of Manchester is to request permission to stand in an upcoming by-election
2. 18:30
  Stand-Up Specials—Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club S2, S2 E4: 'Er Indoors
  4/4Geoff asks why men aren't honest about their partner’s faults.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—14/05/2026
  Ruth is lending a hand.
4. 19:15
  Front Row—Review Show: Rivals and Ian McKellen in The Christophers
  Plus the West End transfer of the award-winning historical drama 1536.
5. 20:00
  A Celebration for Ascension Day
  A service reflecting on Divine Revolution: The Uprising of God with the Ven Rachel Mann.
6. 21:00
  Loose Ends—Ardal O'Hanlon, Ella Risbridger, Kathy Maniura, Jasmine Jethwa, Jim Moray
  Stuart Maconie and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
7. 21:45
  Strong Message Here—We Can't Go On Like This (with Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Ayesha Hazarika)
  Armando defies the naysayers with the programme of his life.
8. 22:00
  The World Tonight—PM will not seek to block Andy Burnham in by-election
  Andy Burnham will try to run for Parliament after Labour MP stands down for him
9. 22:45
  Hunger and Thirst by Claire Fuller—The Glass and the Candle
  4/10Hearing the dark history of the Underwood, Ursula is determined to follow Sue to America.
10. 23:00
  Radical with Amol Rajan—The Rise of the Femosphere: Who Are the Women Giving Up on Men? (Dr Jilly Kay)
  Dr Jilly Kay discusses young women, heteropessimism and the femosphere.
11. 23:30
  Today in Parliament—14/05/2026
  Alicia McCarthy reports on a dramatic day at Westminster.
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—15/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1925-1926: More Priest than Politician
  4/10The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—15/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—15/05/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—15/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—15/05/2026
  Susan Hulme reports on a day of high drama at Westminster.
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—15/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Gratitude for a new day
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Marie-Elsa Bragg.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—15/05/2026 Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland
  A celebration of Northern Ireland's food and farming at the Balmoral Show.

Friday 15 May 2026