Schedule
Early
00:00
Midnight News—21/01/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:30
The Trust Shift—In Institutions We Trust?
Rachel Botsman on the intriguing history of trust.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—21/01/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—21/01/2026
A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
05:00
News Summary—21/01/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:04
Yesterday in Parliament—21/01/2026
MPs debate the Chagos deal after President Trump calls it 'an act of great stupidity'.
05:34
Shipping Forecast—21/01/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
05:43
Prayer for the Day—The Mystique of Concorde
A reflection and prayer to start the day with Andrew Roycroft.
05:45
Farming Today—21/01/26 Minette Batters at Efra Committee, animal protein, organic feed
Civil servants are told they should spend time in a lambing shed to understand farmers.
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Morning
06:00
Today—21/01/2026
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
09:00
More or Less—How close is Greenland to the United States?
Tim Harford investigates Greenland maps, climate costs, house prices and Traitors maths
09:30
The History Bureau—Putin and the Apartment Bombs, 1. The Four Bombs
1/7Four bombs. Twelve days. Hundreds dead. What really happened in Russia in September 1999?
10:00
Woman's Hour—Social media ban for under 16s, Class privilege at Cambridge, Women's sports coaches
We discuss the pros and cons of a ban on social media for under 16s.
11:00
File on 4 Investigates—Thin on Information? Hair loss drug Finasteride
Is the popular hair loss drug Finasteride being safely promoted?
11:40
This Week in History—19th to 25th of January
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
11:45
The Trust Shift—Distrust In The Institution
Rachel Botsman on the intriguing history of trust.
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Afternoon
12:00
News Summary—21/01/2026
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
12:04
You and Yours—Warmer Homes Plan, Padel, Customer Service
The UK government's warmer homes plan is released today. What will it mean for consumers?
12:57
Weather—21/01/2026
The latest weather forecast
13:00
World at One—President Trump addresses Davos
We bring you live reaction from Davos in Switzerland as President Trump delivers speech.
13:45
Understand—US Foreign Policy in Five Doctrines, 3. The Nixon Doctrine
3/5How did the Vietnam War change America’s foreign policy?
14:00
The Archers—20/01/2026
Chelsea offers her support.
14:15
Faith, Hope and Glory—Series 1, 8. Faith and Trevor
By Winsome Pinnock. Century-spanning series charting the emergence of modern Britain.
15:00
Money Box—Money Box Live: Do Electric Cars Add Up?
How much does it cost to go electric?
15:30
Cloning Jack
You can now clone your pet in the UK, but should you?
16:00
When It Hits the Fan—A New Blueprint for PR
David Yelland and Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty look at how the rules of PR are changing.
16:15
The Media Show—Greenland coverage, Australia’s social media ban, Brand Beckham
How are Danish and American journalists covering the Trump-Greenland story?
17:00
PM—President Trump wants Greenland - but won't use force
The US wants 'immediate negotiations' to acquire Greenland but rules out the use of force.
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Evening
18:00
Six O'Clock News—President Trump says he wants "immediate negotiations" to acquire Greenland
He has told world leaders at Davos that he "won't use force"
18:30
Stand-Up Specials—Why in the Name of Pierre Novellie, 3. Why Am I British?
3/4Pierre Novellie asks the big questions about booze, bowler hats and beefeaters.
19:00
The Archers—21/01/2026
Amber faces some tough questions.
19:15
Front Row—Actor Claire Foy on her role in H Is For Hawk
Claire Foy on the film adaptation of Helen Macdonald's award-winning memoir.
20:00
AntiSocial—Men and Loneliness
Should society intervene to help lonely men?
20:45
Magic Consultants—The History
The consultancy industry is worth billions. Should we be in awe of their wizardry?
21:00
Intrigue—Ransom Man, 1. Naked
A woman's deepest secrets are stolen by a hacker called ransom_man.
21:30
Inside Health—Where does air pollution go inside our body?
James inhales a lungful of fumes to see if he can see air pollution moving inside him
22:00
The World Tonight—President Trump backs down from tariff threat on allies
Trump says he won't go ahead with tariffs on countries opposing his Greenland ambitions.
22:45
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa—Episode 3
3/10The Inuis disappear, and R shares a dangerous secret with the writer.
23:00
Doctors On Hold—Series 1, 2. A Letter from the Health Secretary
2/5Doctors Mike and Peter have strong words for the health secretary.
23:15
The Skewer—Series 15, 3. Greenland, Traitors, and Trump
3/5Greenland, Traitors, and Trump.
23:30
Today in Parliament—21/01/2026
Sean Curran reports as MPs question Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions.
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Late
00:00
Midnight News—22/01/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:30
The Trust Shift—Distrust In The Institution
Rachel Botsman on the intriguing history of trust.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—22/01/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—22/01/2026
A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
05:00
News Summary—22/01/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:04
Yesterday in Parliament—22/01/2026
News, views and features on yesterday's stories in Parliament
05:34
Shipping Forecast—22/01/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
05:43
Prayer for the Day—Love Poetry
A reflection and prayer to start the day with Andrew Roycroft.
05:45
Farming Today—22/01/2026 Geopolitical factors in milk prices, sunflowers for feed, Mercosur vote, river restoration
How geopolitical events are feeding into the milk price slump hitting UK farmers.
