BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Shipping Forecast

The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping

Shipping Forecast: 19/03/2009

19/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Shipping Forecast, 19/03/2009Close menu

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

News Briefing

News Briefing: 19/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - News Briefing, 19/03/2009Close menu

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day: 19/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 19/03/2009

Daily prayer and reflection with Glenn Jordan.

Farming Today

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

Farming Today: 19/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 19/03/2009

News and issues in rural Britain with Charlotte Smith.

With Charlotte Smith. Producer Steve Peacock

Today

Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme; including Thought for the Day

Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme; including religious reflections from Thought for the Day at 0748

Today: 19/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Today, 19/03/2009

Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

With John Humphrys and Sarah Montague. Including Sports Desk; Weather; Thought for the Day; Yesterday in Parliament.

Presented by John Humphrys and Sarah Montague.

The Competition Commission's report on the future of BAA's airports has concluded that it will need to sell Stansted and either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Christopher Clarke, of the Competition Commission, and Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, examine the extent to which this will level the playing field when it comes to competition between the UK's airports.

The British actress Natasha Richardson has died after sustaining head injuries whilst on a skiing holiday in Canada. Peter McCabe, chief executive of Headway, discusses brain injuries.

David Willetts, Shadow Secretary for Innovation, Universities and Skills, discusses what he thinks might be the financial blunders made by the Learning and Skills Council.

Stefanie Marsh from the Times and Florian Klenk, of Austrian paper Falter, discuss the differing media responses to the Josef Fritzl case and what they signify.

Tony Wright, of the Public Administration Select Committee and Paul Braithwaite, of the Equitable Members' Action Group, discuss the report into the government's handling of the problems at Equitable Life.

Philosopher Professor Roger Scruton and design consultant Stephen Bayley debate if Britain has become indifferent to beauty.

Thought for the day with Reverend Giles Fraser.

Professor John Beddington explains how population increase will put huge strains on food and water supplies.

Kim Catcheside reports on the errors that led to the college funding chaos. Minister for Further Education Sion Simon says the government is urgently trying to find out how the situation arose.

Reporter Michelle Robinson looks back at the life and career of actress Natasha Richardson.

The reversal of Sean Hodgson's murder conviction after 27 years in prison signalled the end of one of the longest miscarriages of justice in legal history. Chief Constable Peter Neyroud and journalist Bob Woffinden discuss how the investigation can move forward.

Dr James Hansen from NASA and Sir Leszek Borysiewicz of the Medical Research Council discuss whether scientists have an obligation to present people with the facts and remain impartial or are right to speak out on contentious issues such as climate change.

Reporter Sanchia Berg travels to Swindon, one of the towns worst affected by unemployment.

Correspondent Kevin Connolly discusses the enduring appeal of Blues music with veteran Mississippi guitarist T-Model Ford.

The Public Accounts Committee is to publish a report recommending a review of public funding for Trident. Defence economist Professor Ron Smith and Commander John Muxworthy, of the National Defence Association, examine the implications for the country's security.

With John Humphrys and Sarah Montague. 
6.25, 7.25, 8.25 Sports News 
6.45 Yesterday in Parliament 
With Sean Curran and Robert Orchard. 
7.48 Thought for the Day 
With the Rt Rev Richard Harries. 
8.31  Yesterday in Parliament

In Our Time

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.

In Our Time: The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Boxer Rebellion

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Boxer Rebellion in the summer of 1900.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Boxer Rebellion, when the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists purged China of foreign influences in the summer of 1900.

In the hot summer of 1900, Peking, the capital of China, was under heavy siege. But the surrounding forces were not foreign, they were Chinese. This was the Boxer Rebellion, the moment when the 'Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists', known as the boxers, purged China of foreign merchants and missionaries. The Boxers had came out of the northern provinces, they claimed their fists were stronger than fire and they were invincible to bullets.  But they were also desperate and starving and they blamed foreigners for their plight. In the end, the Boxer rebellion failed but it changed China and, more than a hundred years later, the spirit of the Boxer Rebellion lives on. They may have lost their battles but they may have won their war.

The Boxer Rebellion. Melvyn Bragg discusses the moment when the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists purged China of foreign influences in the summer of 1900. With guests Rana Mitter and France Wood. 
Producer James Cook Shortened repeat at 9.30pm

Book of the Week

Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

Book of the Week: A View from the Foothills

Book of the Week: A View from the Foothills: Episode 4

Episode 4

A View from the Foothills

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, A View from the Foothills, Episode 4

January 2004: travelling the baking plains of Africa seems far away from Sunderland.

It is January 2004 and travelling the baking plains of Africa seems far away from Sunderland.

Sam Dale reads an adaptation of the diary kept by Chris Mullin during his time as a minister in the New Labour government. 

It is January 2004 and travelling the baking plains of Africa seems far away from Sunderland.

Adaptation of Chris Mullin's diary kept during his time as a minister in New Labour

Sam Dale reads an adaptation of the diary kept by Chris Mullin during his time as a minister in the New Labour government

Daily Service

Led by Michael Ford. Come, My Way (Brent 
Smith). 2 Corinthians 2, vv14-17. Be Still, for the Presence of the Lord (Evans, arr 
Jackson). Christ Triumphant, Ever Reigning (Guiting Power).

Book of the Week:A View from the Foothills

4/5 January 2004: Chris travels the baking plains of Africa - world away from Sunderland. Chris Mullin's diary as a minister in Tony Blair 's government. For details see Monday Repeated at 12.30am

Woman's Hour

Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.

Woman's Hour: European Parliament; Melody Gardot

European Parliament; Melody Gardot

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, European Parliament; Melody Gardot

Female representation in the European Parliament discussed. Plus, singer Melody Gardot.

Female representation in the European Parliament discussed. Plus shared care for disabled children, and US singer Melody Gardot on her curious path to musical success.

With Jenni Murray. 
10.45 Seeing Is Believing 4/5 The Woman's Hour drama. 
For details see drama repeat at 7.45pm

Crossing Continents

Series focusing on foreign affairs issues

Crossing Continents: Israel's Goodness Gracious Me

Israel's Goodness Gracious Me

BBC Radio 4 - Crossing Continents, Israel's Goodness Gracious Me

Examining an Israeli TV comedy that sees the funny side of Arab lives in the Jewish state.

Mukul Devichand meets the creators and cast of Arab Labour, a prime-time Israeli TV comedy that sees the humorous side of Arab lives in the Jewish state.

Mukul Devichand meets the creators and cast of Arab Labour, a prime-time Israeli TV comedy that sees the humorous side of Arab lives in the Jewish state. 

Israel's elections and its military operation in Gaza have polarised relations between Jewish Israelis and the 20 per cent Arab minority. Mukul examines the dark humour and moral dilemmas of an Arab population caught between feelings of Palestinian brotherhood and a determination to remain Israeli citizens.

New series 1/7. Israel's Goodness Gracious 
Me. Mukul Devichand meets the creators and cast of the Israeli TV comedy Arab Labour, which sees the humorous side of Arab lives in the Jewish state. He looks at the dark humour and moral dilemmas of a minority population caught between feelings of Palestinian brotherhood and a determination to remain Israeli citizens. Producer Ian O'Reilly

With Great Pleasure

Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, with guest presenters

Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, in which guest presenters pick readings from their favourite pieces of poetry and prose

With Great Pleasure: Joanne Harris

Joanne Harris

BBC Radio 4 - With Great Pleasure, Joanne HarrisSearch BBC

Chocolat author Joanne Harris shares her love of great writing from Molesworth to sci-fi.

4 Extra Debut. Author Joanne Harris’ selection includes Ray Bradbury, Emily Bronte and a Neil Gaiman graphic novel. From 2009.

Author Joanne Harris’ selection includes Ray Bradbury, Emily Bronte, Molesworth, Ted Hughes and one of Neil Gaiman's graphic novels.

The readers are Amanda Root and Jon Strickland.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.

2/4. Author Joanne Harris shares her love of great writing, ranging from Nigel Molesworth to science fiction and a radio version of a Neil Gaiman graphic novel. With readers Amanda Root and Jon Strickland. Producer Mark Smalley

You and Yours

You and Yours: 19/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 19/03/2009

Consumer news and issues with Peter White.

Presented by Peter White.

Some civil liberty groups are unhappy at the government's proposed 'e-borders' data collection scheme, whilst other travel agents and tour operators are worried that the burden of collecting all this sensitive data will fall on them.

In April the largest organisation for older people in the UK comes into existence. We speak to Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age UK, the legal name for the new charity.

Actor Jim Broadbent is demanding that more money be put into dementia research. The actor's mother had dementia, and he won his Academy Award for his role as the husband of novelist Iris Murdoch, who had Alzheimer's.

Some of the biggest names in the department store business have seen profits plunge during the recession. So how are much smaller, family-run firms managing to survive?

MP Grant Shapps was shocked to find that when he came to renew his car insurance with Admiral, his premium had increased by sixty pounds, despite the fact he had never made a claim on the policy. Louisa Scadden from Admiral responds.

A family who lost their case against the Bank of Scotland for alleged harassment are applying to appeal the judge's decision.

Setanta is reported to be struggling to find the cash for a 10 million-pound payment it owes the FA. We speak to BBC sports editor Mihir Bose.

Weather

Weather: 19/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Weather, 19/03/2009Close menu

World at One

Forty-five minutes of news, analysis and comment, with Sarah Montague.

World at One: 19/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - World at One, 19/03/2009

National and international news with Shaun Ley.

The World at One

Off the Page

Series featuring new writing and stimulating discussion.

Off The Page

Off the Page: So Bad It's Good

So Bad It's Good

BBC Radio 4 - Off the Page, So Bad It's Good

Dominic Arkwright and guests discuss bad taste and guilty pleasures.

Dominic Arkwright, Bidisha, Toby Young and Safraz Manzoor discuss bad taste and guilty pleasures. From March 2009.

Off the Page .

5/6. Dominic Arkwright talks bad taste and guilty pleasures with writers Bidisha, Toby Young and Sarfraz Manzoor. 
Producer Beth O'Dea Repeated on Monday at 11pm

The Archers

An intense and gripping week of events unfolds in Ambridge. Listen to all the drama here.

The Archers: 18/03/2009

18/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - The Archers, 18/03/2009

Matt's singing the praises of Swiss banks. His money's secret there. Lilian offers to keep his money in her Guernsey accounts. Matt upsets Lilian; what if they split up? Look how poisonous Yvette was during the divorce. Lynda appears. She's keen to talk about the Antony Gormley plinth. Matt disappears, leaving Lilian with Lynda. 

Later, Matt does his best to apologise to Lilian by offering to help with the supermarket shopping. 

Usha goes for a run. A car speeds past, rather too close. Usha's forced to jump into the hedge. The car stops and the driver apologises, but tells Usha she shouldn't be running in the gloom. He offers her a lift home, but she refuses, and runs off. The driver takes offence. What does he get for his hurt feelings? He demands her MP3 player, and seems to want more. Eventually he goes, leaving Usha very shaken.  

Matt and Lilian are returning from the shops and see Usha on the roadside. They take her home. Alan's at the Vicarage, having a meeting with Lynda. Lilian, Matt and Usha arrive. Lilian tells Alan that Usha's had a fright. Usha's annoyed with herself about it but says she'll phone the police and then she'll be right as rain.

Episode written by Keri Davies.

Drama on 4

Drama from BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra.

Afternoon Play

Drama on 4: Baring Up

Baring Up

BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Baring Up

By Frank Rickarby. A naturist campaigns to win the right to bathe naked on Brighton beach.

Comedy by Frank Rickarby. Fictionalised account of grandmother, town councillor and naturist Eileen Jakes' 1979 campaign to win the right to bare her naked body on Brighton beach.

Comedy by Frank Rickarby. Fictionalised account of 47-year-old grandmother, Conservative councillor and naturist Eileen Jakes' 1979 campaign to win the right to bare her naked body on the pebbles of Brighton beach.

Eileen ...... Paula Wilcox
Brian ...... Kim Wall
John Blackman ...... Malcolm Tierney
Adam Trimingham ...... Stephen Hogan
Joan ...... Joanna Monro
Frank ...... Philip Fox
Alan Goodwin ...... Sam Dale
Grace Clarke ...... Janice Acquah
Robin Crossly ...... Benjamin Askew
Connie Hamilton ...... Caroline Guthrie
Spike Rawlings ...... Paul Rider
Chairman of Council ...... Matt Addis
Henry Ireland ...... Jonathan Tafler
John Humphys ...... Himself

Directed by Tracey Neale.

Afternoon Play: Baring Up

1979 was an historic year - 
Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first woman prime minister - and the battle to open me UK's first naturist beach began. In Frank Rickarby 's fact-based play, local councillor, grandmother and seafront landlady Eileen Jakes fights to win the right to bare her naked body on the pebbles of Brighton beach.     
Director/Producer Tracey Neale

Open Country

Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of Britain

Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of the British Isles

Open Country: 14/03/2009

14/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Open Country, 14/03/2009

Helen Mark meets the people and wildlife that make their home on Snowdon.

As Snowdon emerges from a tough winter, Helen Mark meets the people and wildlife that make their home on the highest mountain in Wales.

Radio 4 Appeal

Highlighting a charity and appealing for donations. The presenters donate their time.

A weekly programme highlighting the work of a charity and appealing for donations. The presenters give their time without payment.

Radio 4 Appeal: St Giles Trust

15/03/2009

St Giles Trust

BBC Radio 4 - Radio 4 Appeal, St Giles TrustSearch BBC

Jenny Agutter appeals on behalf of St Giles Trust.

Afternoon Reading

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: In Her Element

Afternoon Reading: In Her Element: Episode 3: No Refund for Clouds

Episode 3

Episode 3: No Refund for Clouds

In Her Element

No Refund for Clouds

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, In Her Element, No Refund for CloudsSearch BBC

By Hilary Lloyd. The author recalls life on a smallholding in the Welsh Marches.

By Hilary Lloyd. Women writers' recollections of Wales. The author recalls life on a smallholding in the Welsh Marches. Read by Eiry Thomas.

Series of three readings by women writers that describe their personal connections with the Welsh landscape. 

Hilary Lloyd remembers life on a smallholding in the Welsh Marches. Read by Eiry Thomas.

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Series of readings by women writers about their relationship with the Welsh landscape

Series of three readings by women writers that describe their personal connections with the Welsh landscape

3/3. No Refund for Clouds. Hilary Lloyd remembers life on a smallholding in the Welsh Marches. Read by Eiry Thomas. The last of three readings in which women writers describe their personal connections with the Welsh landscape. For details see Tuesday

The Synchrotron View

The Synchrotron View: Episode 4

BBC Radio 4 - The Synchrotron View, Episode 4

Exploring the mysteries of earthworms. How are they able to survive in the copper and arsenic-laced soil of an abandoned Devon mine?

Science enthusiast Dave Dodd visits the UK's biggest and brightest new experimental facility, the Diamond Light Source. 

Exploring the mysteries of earthworms. How are they able to survive in the copper and arsenic-laced soil of an abandoned Devon mine?

Science enthusiast Dave Dodd visits the UK's biggest and brightest experimental facility

Science enthusiast Dave Dodd visits the UK's biggest and brightest new experimental facility, the Diamond Light Source

4/5. Dave Dodd and Dr Mark Hodson use the Diamond Light Source to find out how earthworms are able to survive in an abandoned Devon mine in soil laced with copper and arsenic. For details see Monday

Open Book

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books

Programme looking at new fiction and non-fiction books, talking to authors and publishers and unearthing lost classics

Open Book: Marcel Theroux, and Literary Censorship in South Africa

Marcel Theroux, and Literary Censorship in South Africa

BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, Marcel Theroux, and Literary Censorship in South Africa

Mariella Frostrup talks to writer Marcel Theroux.

Mariella Frostrup talks to writer Marcel Theroux, who explains how his interest in climate change and a trip to northern Siberia provided raw material for his novel Far North.

Material World

Science programme reporting on developments across the disciplines

Science programme reporting on developments across the disciplines. Each week, scientists describe their work, conveying the excitement they feel for their research projects

Material World: Medical Isotopes - The End of Harappa

Medical Isotopes - The End of Harappa

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, Medical Isotopes - The End of Harappa

Quentin Cooper hears about problems in the supply of medical isotopes.

Quentin Cooper hears about problems in the supply of medical isotopes, one of the staples of modern medicine which allow doctors to track down damaged tissue and diseased organs.

Quentin Cooper hears about medical isotopes, one of the staples of modern medicine which allow doctors to track down damaged tissue and diseased organs. 

These radioactive tracers are in danger of vanishing from our medical shelves because the ageing nuclear reactors that they are made in keep breaking down. Quentin talks to a supplier of medical isotopes and a leading user, to hear about our need for these chemicals and what can be done to ensure their availability.


The End of Harappa
Four and a half thousand years ago, one of the great civilisations in the world thrived in the north western corner of the Indian subcontinent.

Great, intricately ordered cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were home to tens of thousands citizens.  And then within five hundred years the Harappan civilisation faded away.

Material World: Medical Isotopes

The Material World

Medical isotopes are a staple of modern medicine, allowing doctors to track down damaged tissue and diseased organs. But these radioactive tracers are in danger of vanishing from the medical shelves, because the ageing nuclear reactors they're made in keep breaking down. Quentin Cooper talks to one of the leading suppliers of medical isotopes to hear about the need for these chemicals, and what can be done to ensure their availability.

Afternoon news and current affairs programme

Afternoon news and current affairs programme, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines

PM: 19/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - PM, 19/03/2009

Coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn.

Full coverage and analysis of the day's news with Carolyn Quinn. Plus Weather.

Six O'Clock News

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

Six O'Clock News: 19/03/2009

BBC Radio 4 - Six O'Clock News, 19/03/2009

National and international news from BBC Radio 4.

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4, followed by Weather.

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Programme Index

Shipping Forecast

19/03/2009

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Formats

Brand

Weather

19/03/2009

Genres

Brand

Open Country

Open Country

14/03/2009

Genres

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Weather

19/03/2009

Genres

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Shipping Forecast

20/03/2009

Genres

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BBC Radio 4 FM

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