BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Friday 17 July 2026

Schedule

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On air
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
  
  4/5 Alev 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
  
  On air
  
  Listen live
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—17/07/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
  
  Listen live
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—17/07/2026
  
  The latest news about food, farming and the countryside.
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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—17/07/2026
  
  Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
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
  
  5/5 The legal ramifications of renting a womb require complex contracts.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  News Summary—17/07/2026
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  
  AntiSocial—17/07/2026
  
  Peace talks for the culture wars.
3. 12:57
  
  Weather—17/07/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  
  World at One—17/07/2026
  
  News, analysis and comment from BBC Radio 4
5. 13:45
  
  New Storytellers—New Storytellers 2026, After Confession
  
  5/5 Confessions 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—17/07/2026
  
  Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts.
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—The movie star who made wine - and the Archers character who baked lemon drizzle: Sam Neill and Patricia Greene.
  
  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—17/07/2026
  
  Full coverage of the day's news
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—17/07/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 18:30
  
  Dead Ringers—Series 27, Episode 6
  
  6/6 Satirical impressions from the team headed up by Jon Culshaw and Jan Ravens.
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—17/07/2026
  
  In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspective
9. 22:45
  
  Kane by Edson Burton—Episode 5
  
  5/5 A coming of age story set in an alternative world where slavery has never been abolished.
10. 23:00
  
  Americast—17/07/2026
  
  Join Americast for insights and analysis on what's happening inside Trump's White House.
11. 23:30
  
  Today in Parliament—17/07/2026
  
  News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
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
  
  5/5 The 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.