Radio 4
Radio 4

Radio 4

Inquisitive speech radio to make sense of your world.

Afternoon

18:00 BST

Six O'Clock News

05/09/2026

National and international news from BBC Radio 4

National and international news from BBC Radio 4

18:15 BST

Loose Ends

Janet Street Porter, Isy Suttie, Christopher Chung, Altered Images, Jordan Rakei

Clive Anderson is joined by broadcaster Janet Street-Porter, comedian Isy Suttie, Slow Horses' star Christopher Chung and there's music from Altered Images and Jordan Rakei.

Clive Anderson is joined by broadcaster Janet Street-Porter, comedian Isy Suttie, Slow Horses' star Christopher Chung and there's music from Altered Images and Jordan Rakei.

19:15 BST

This Cultural Life

Nicholas Hytner

Theatre and film director Sir Nicholas Hytner talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences.

Theatre and film director Sir Nicholas Hytner talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences.

Evening

20:00 BST

Archive on 4

Comps

FT columnist turned teacher Lucy Kellaway takes a journey through the education revolution launched fifty years ago to replace grammars and secondary moderns with comprehensives.

FT columnist turned teacher Lucy Kellaway takes a journey through the education revolution launched fifty years ago to replace grammars and secondary moderns with comprehensives.

22:00 BST

News

05/09/2026

National and international news from BBC Radio 4

National and international news from BBC Radio 4

22:15 BST

The Food Programme

What the Normans did for our diet

Food Historian Dr Annie Gray considers how the Norman Conquest changed what we eat and drink.

Food Historian Dr Annie Gray considers how the Norman Conquest changed what we eat and drink.

23:00 BST

Your Mum

1. Sara Barron and Nish Kumar

Laura Smyth is joined by comedians Sara Barron and Nish Kumar to hear about the indelible mark their mothers left on them.

Laura Smyth is joined by comedians Sara Barron and Nish Kumar to hear about the indelible mark their mothers left on them.

23:30 BST

Brain of Britain

Brain of Britain - Heat 6, 2026

Nationwide general knowledge competition for the title Brain of Britain. Spotlights on Angela Merkel, the Inca Empire, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and mustard.

Nationwide general knowledge competition for the title Brain of Britain. Spotlights on Angela Merkel, the Inca Empire, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and mustard.