BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 21 May 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—21/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1935 and 1936: The Shine of Nazism Wears Thin
  8/10The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—21/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—21/05/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—21/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—21/05/2026
  Susan Hulme with the main news from Westminster.
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—21/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Trees
  Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection, with Rabbi Monique Mayer.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—21/05/26 Drought report, impact of Middle East war on berry growers, farm flower garden.
  New report from House of Lords warns taps could run dry if we don't manage water better.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—21/05/2026
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  In Our Time—The Levellers
  The political movement during the English Civil War committed to a new idea of equality.
3. 09:45
  Strong Message Here—A Febrile Atmosphere (with Tom Peck)
  After some 'febrile' weeks in parliament, we look at the language of heightened times.
4. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—Alexis Ohanian on women's sport, Shadow banning, Malory Towers on stage, Margo from Race Across the World
  Serena Williams' husband on his decision to invest in women's sports.
5. 11:00
  This Cultural Life—George Saunders
  Booker Prize-winning American author George Saunders reveals his cultural influences.
6. 11:45
  Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1937-1938: Darkness
  9/10The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—21/05/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  Scam Secrets—The Knock at the Door
  Coming face to face with the scammer.
3. 12:32
  Sliced Bread—Food Containers
  Is it ok to store food in plastic containers?
4. 12:57
  Weather—21/05/2026
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  World at One—Net migration halves in a year
  But have the public noticed? We'll assess the gap between perception and reality.
6. 13:45
  Understand—Rinsed, 9. Vultures
  9/13As Thames Water’s finances deteriorate, “vultures” circle.
7. 14:00
  The Archers—20/05/2026
  Den plans a surprise for Brad.
8. 14:15
  Drama on 4—Nanny
  A new musical about the collision of reality and big dreams, directed by Sara Pascoe.
9. 15:00
  Ramblings—Bailies of Bennachie
  Clare heads up Mither Tap, a distinctive hill in the Bennachie range.
10. 15:27
  Radio 4 Appeal—Hope Support Services
  Comedian Ashley Storrie makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Hope Support Services.
11. 15:30
  Word of Mouth—The World of Words: editing, typography and print
  Michael Rosen finds out about fascinating literary errors from editor Rebecca Lee.
12. 16:00
  The Briefing Room—Is Russia under pressure from Ukraine?
  As Ukrainian drones hit Moscow, how much pressure is Russia under?
13. 16:30
  BBC Inside Science—El Niño is nigh, but so what?
  El Niño is stirring in the Pacific Ocean and may well be one of the strongest yet.
14. 17:00
  PM—Late Queen "very keen" for Andrew to be made envoy
  The revelation comes as more details emerge about the former prince's appointment to role.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—UK net migration falls sharply
  171,000 more people arrived in the UK than left in 2025
2. 18:30
  Ellie Taylor's Safe Space—Series 3, 1: The Internet
  1/4Comedian Ellie Taylor argues why the Internet should be abolished.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—21/05/2026
  Anna faces resistance.
4. 19:15
  Front Row—Review Show: Douglas Stuart's John of John and Cannes Film Festival
  Also, Holy Pop!, a new exhibition celebrating fandom.
5. 20:00
  When It Hits the Fan—Did Swatch PR Backfire?
  David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss if chaos is ever good PR.
6. 20:15
  The Media Show—The new BBC Director General Matt Brittin, MAFS under investigation & Richard Madeley goes inside El Salvadore's CECOT mega jail
  Matt Brittin on day three at the BBC, MAFS and Richard Madeley inside a mega jail.
7. 21:00
  Loose Ends—Conn Iggulden, Bank of Dave musical, Cally Beaton, Guvna B, Emma Kenny
  Stuart Maconie and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
8. 21:45
  Strong Message Here—A Febrile Atmosphere (with Tom Peck)
  After some 'febrile' weeks in parliament, we look at the language of heightened times.
9. 22:00
  The World Tonight—Government publishes single-sex spaces guidance
  The Equalities and Human Rights Commission published its guidance on single-sex spaces
10. 22:45
  Hunger and Thirst by Claire Fuller—The Lithopedion
  9/10Long after leaving the Underwood, Ursula has carved a new life - and identity.
11. 23:00
  Radical with Amol Rajan—The Future of Food: Can Regenerative Farming Save Our Soil? (Andy Cato)
  Oli Dugmore speaks to the Groove Armada DJ and farming pioneer, Andy Cato.
12. 23:30
  Today in Parliament—21/05/2026
  Susan Hulme reports on the economic response to the turmoil in the Middle East.
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—22/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1937-1938: Darkness
  9/10The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—22/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—22/05/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—22/05/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—22/05/2026
  David Cornock reports from Westminster as the chancellor announces cost of living help.
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—22/05/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Shavuot & Cheesecake
  Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection, with Rabbi Monique Mayer.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—22/05/2026 Gulf trade deal, tax cut on red diesel, cuts to tariffs on food imports, flowers, farmers going out of business
  We ask what the latest government cost of living measures mean for farmers.

Friday 22 May 2026