Schedule
Early
00:00
Midnight News—29/01/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:30
Craftland—Episode 3
3/5Rush weaving in Bedfordshire – an ancient skill turned into a thriving modern business.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—29/01/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—29/01/2026
A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
05:00
News Summary—29/01/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:04
Yesterday in Parliament—29/01/2026
Sean Curran reports on (Deputy) Prime Minister's Questions, and more.
05:34
Shipping Forecast—29/01/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
05:43
Prayer for the Day—Help from Above
A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Virginia Luckett.
05:45
Farming Today—29/01/26 Sustainable food and what that means for farming
Making our food systems more sustainable - what does that mean for agriculture?
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Morning
06:00
Today—29/01/2026
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
09:00
In Our Time—The Roman Arena
Misha Glenny and guests discuss the origins and harsh realities of the gladiator life.
09:45
Strong Message Here—Are You a Stupid Person? (with Natalie Haynes)
Blaring subtext, flimsy reasoning and hypocrisy - do politicians think we're stupid?
10:00
Woman's Hour—Pensions gender gap, Rape investigations complaint, Women and AI
Research shows that there is a pensions gender gap, what can be done about it?
11:00
This Cultural Life—Jonathan Pryce
Actor Sir Jonathan Pryce talks to John Wilson about his cultural influences and career.
11:45
Craftland—Episode 4
4/5Colyton in Devon is home to both a wheelwright's workshop and a tannery.
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Afternoon
12:00
News Summary—29/01/2026
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
12:04
The Bottom Line—What Happens When Brands Change Hands?
Corporate mergers and takeovers are on the rise. Who are the winners and losers?
12:32
Sliced Bread—Kefir
Can kefir really help our guts?
12:57
Weather—29/01/2026
The latest weather forecast
13:00
World at One—Relations between Britain and China thaw
President Xi tells the prime minister he hopes both countries can ‘rise above differences’
13:45
The Fibre Factor—Full of Beans
4/5Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall celebrates beans, peas and pulses from around the world.
14:00
The Archers—28/01/2026
Problems escalate for Kirsty.
14:15
Drama on 4—Silent Tide
On a Scottish island, a detective lands from Argentina to investigate her brother’s death.
15:00
Ramblings—Ghosts of the Farm with Nicola Chester
Clare joins writer Nicola Chester for a circular walk out of Inkpen, West Berkshire.
15:27
Radio 4 Appeal—Good Faith Foundation
Broadcaster Jane Garvey makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Good Faith Foundation.
15:30
Word of Mouth—Aphorisms: Sayings to Live By
Michael Rosen talks to James Geary about aphorisms, AKA literature's hand luggage
16:00
Rethink—Rethink... the promise of AI
If you look online, AI now seems to be everywhere - but what is it for?
16:30
BBC Inside Science—Should we rethink navigating by GPS?
GPS is vulnerable to interference, so how can we make navigating at sea safer?
17:00
PM—29/01/2026
News and current affairs, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines
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Evening
18:00
Six O'Clock News—Nearly 100 children harmed by Great Ormond Street surgeon
Yaser Jabbar performed botched operations
18:30
What's the Story, Ashley Storrie?—Series 3, 4. The Truth Is, She Never Left You
4/4Ashley's mum's surreal send-off evokes Evita while her dad flees, on a popstar pilgrimage.
19:00
The Archers—29/01/2026
It's judgement day for Justin.
19:15
Front Row—Reviewing Is This Thing On? Guess How Much I Love You? and George Saunders
Reviewing Is This Thing On? Guess How Much I Love You? and George Saunders.
20:00
When It Hits the Fan—Is the Beckham Brand in Jeopardy?
David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at how a family feud could be bad for family business.
20:15
The Media Show—Viral videos shaping reporting in Minnesota, Radio 1’s Christmas Presenter Takeover, Algorithm Transparency and Skyscraper Live
ICE protest coverage, Radio 1’s DJ try outs, algorithms and Netflix’s Skyscraper Live.
21:00
Loose Ends—Nigel Havers, Rosalie Minnitt, Mike Wozniak, Dan Gillespie Sells, Stealing Sheep
Stuart Maconie and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
21:45
Strong Message Here—Are You a Stupid Person? (with Natalie Haynes)
Blaring subtext, flimsy reasoning and hypocrisy - do politicians think we're stupid?
22:00
The World Tonight—The UK and China sign deals during PM’s visit to Beijing
The agreements include allowing Britons to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa
22:45
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa—Episode 9
9/10The writer and the old man search for sculptures in the ruined cabin.
23:00
Radical with Amol Rajan—Inside the Music Business: The Grammys President on the Fight to Protect Artists (Panos A. Panay)
The Recording Academy president thinks AI poses an 'existential threat' to the industry.
23:30
Today in Parliament—29/01/2026
Sean Curran reports as ministers again decide not to pay compensation to Waspi women.
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Late
00:00
Midnight News—30/01/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:30
Craftland—Episode 4
4/5Colyton in Devon is home to both a wheelwright's workshop and a tannery.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—30/01/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—30/01/2026
A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
05:00
News Summary—30/01/2026
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:04
Yesterday in Parliament—30/01/2026
Alicia McCarthy reports as MPs hear that there'll be no compensation for the WASPI women.
05:34
Shipping Forecast—30/01/2026
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
05:43
Prayer for the Day—Weather Watching
A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Virginia Luckett.
05:45
Farming Today—30/01/26 Extreme weather and rural resilience, biochar, rare breed cattle
Rural communities flooded again call for more help.
