BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Friday 1 January 2021

FM Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—01/01/2021
  The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.
2. 00:15
  Christmas Compass—On The Island
  Adam Courting reads a new Christmas story from Alexander McCall Smith.
3. 00:30
  A History of the Bible by John Barton—Who's In and Who's Out?
  4/5John Barton’s challenging and engaging A History of the Bible is read by Hugh Bonneville.
4. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—01/01/2021
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
5. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—01/01/2021
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
6. 05:20
  Shipping Forecast—01/01/2021
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:30
  News Briefing—01/01/2021
  The latest news from BBC Radio 4
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—01/01/2021
  A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with the Rt Rev Dr Jo Bailey Wells.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—01/01/20 - The Archers at 70: the farmers of Ambridge
  Charlotte Smith looks back at 70 years of farming in The Archers.
10. 05:58
  Tweet of the Day—Gregory Ovenden on the Canada Goose
  Wildlife sound recordist Gregory Overden on Canada geese for Tweet of the Day.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—01/01/2021
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  Desert Island Discs—Colonel Lucy Giles
  Colonel Lucy Giles shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
3. 09:45
  A History of the Bible by John Barton—Nine Lessons and Carols
  5/5Hugh Bonneville reads John Barton's story of the Bible and the faiths that hold it sacred.
4. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—Women and the Archers: how farming has changed, female scriptwriters, the role of gossip and future characters.
  Woman’s Hour celebrates the 70th anniversary of The Archers.
5. 10:45
  The Mystery of Edwin Drood—10. Cathedral Tower
  10/10The net is closing on John Jasper. Can he be stopped?
6. 11:00
  Five Knots
  Short strands about five knots, woven together by Timandra Harkness.
7. 11:30
  The Museum of Curiosity—Museum of New Year's Curiosity
  John Lloyd and Alice Levine with Sally Phillips, Dan Schreiber and Dr Kate Devlin.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—01/01/2021
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  In the Castle of My Skin by George Lamming—Episode 5
  5/10Political change is rippling through Barbados and fighting breaks out in the city.
3. 12:18
  With Great Pleasure—With Great Pleasure at Christmas
  A festive celebration of The Archers, with readings, music and anecdotes from the cast.
4. 12:57
  Weather—01/01/2021
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  World at One—01/01/2021
  Analysis of news and current affairs, presented by Sarah Montague.
6. 13:45
  The Death of Nuance—Regaining Nuance
  5/5Oliver Burkeman asks how we can recover our nuance.
7. 14:00
  The Archers—31/12/2020
  Peggy has a shocking suggestion.
8. 14:15
  Drama on 4—Hashtag Love
  Ruth Jones and Stephen Tompkinson in a live romcom set behind the scenes of The Archers.
9. 15:00
  Gardeners' Question Time—GQT at Home: Happy New Year
  Horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts, hosted by Kathy Clugston.
10. 15:45
  Short Works—One by Merryn Glover
  Nian Zhen welcomes a child with special needs and reflects on her own life.
11. 16:00
  Last Word—Stella Tennant, George Bizos, Joan Feynman, Rishi Kapoor
  Matthew Bannister on a model, a lawyer, an astrophysicist and an actor.
12. 16:30
  When Will Theatre Come Black?
  As the sector rebuilds, Bridget Minamore imagines a new future for Black British theatre.
13. 17:00
  PM—01/01/2021
  Afternoon news and current affairs programme.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—01/01/2021 Study: New variant Covid "hugely" more transmissible
  A study of the new variant of Covid-19 has confirmed it is "hugely" more transmissible.
2. 18:15
  Austentatious—Undead and Unwed: Part Two
  Part two of an amazing 'lost' Jane Austen ghost story, by the UK's finest improv troupe.
3. 18:30
  The News Quiz—Series 104, Best of 2020
  1/8Andy Zaltzman introduces a Best of 2020 episode of the satirical news show
4. 19:00
  The Archers—01/01/2021
  Ambridge faces a life-changing crisis.
5. 19:15
  The Archers Anniversary Quiz
  Radio 4 Presenters take on Archers super-fans in a quiz about Ambridge life and times.
6. 19:45
  The Mystery of Edwin Drood—10. Cathedral Tower
  10/10The net is closing on John Jasper. Can he be stopped?
7. 20:00
  Pick of the Year—Pick of the Year 2020
  Michael Rosen and his son Joe choose the best of BBC Radio this year
8. 20:45
  In Their Element—Series 4, Gold
  3/5Chemist Andrea Sella celebrates how the element gold enhances our lives.
9. 21:00
  Correspondents' Look Ahead—Looking Ahead to 2021
  BBC correspondents gaze into their crystal balls to predict what 2021 might have in store.
10. 21:50
  A Point of View—New Year Letter from New York
  Adam Gopnik on the bitter-sweet joys of cycling round Central Park.
11. 22:00
  The World Tonight—UK covid cases exceed 50,000 for 4th consecutive day
  Recent increases have been driven by a new variant
12. 22:45
  In the Castle of My Skin by George Lamming—Episode 5
  5/10Political change is rippling through Barbados and fighting breaks out in the city.
13. 23:00
  Great Lives—Diane Morgan on Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
  Comedian and actor Diane Morgan chooses the life of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
14. 23:30
  Anansi Boys—5/6
  As Daisy closes in on her suspect, Rosie is shocked to find that she has two fiances.
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—02/01/2021
  The latest news and weather forecast from BBC Radio 4.
2. 00:15
  In Their Element—Series 4, Strontium
  5/5Chemist Andrea Sella ends his festive series with fireworks and the element strontium.
3. 00:30
  A History of the Bible by John Barton—Nine Lessons and Carols
  5/5Hugh Bonneville reads John Barton's story of the Bible and the faiths that hold it sacred.
4. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—02/01/2021
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
5. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—02/01/2021
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
6. 05:20
  Shipping Forecast—02/01/2021
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:30
  News Briefing—02/01/2021
  The latest news from BBC Radio 4
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—02/01/2021
  A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Dr Krish Kandiah
9. 05:45
  In Their Element—Series 4, Aluminium
  2/5Chemist Andrea Sella celebrates how the element aluminium enhances our lives.

Saturday 2 January 2021