List of BBC Radio 4 programmes explained

This is a list of current and former programmes broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

When it came into existence – on 30 September 1967 – Radio 4 inherited a great many continuing programme series which had been initiated prior to that date by its predecessor, the BBC Home Service (1939–1967), and in some cases even by stations which had preceded the Home Service. Such inherited programmes are included in the list.

The years indicated in brackets after programme titles refer to the dates, where known, of each programme's first, subsequent, and final broadcasts – and, in cases where Radio 4 programmes began their run on stations other than the Home Service, the names of those originating stations are also shown.

Note that many of Radio 4's past comedy and drama productions have been, and continue to be repeatedly rerun on Radio 4, as well as on the digital radio channel BBC Radio 4 Extra (previously BBC Radio 7).

News and current affairs

Drama

Arts

Quizzes

Comedy

Panel games

Sitcoms

Sketch shows

Individual comedy plays

Stand-up, cabaret, and variety

Talks

Documentaries

Science, technology and medicine

Religion and ethics

History

Factual

Conversations

Miscellaneous

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Arnold. Sue. What a proper Charlie. The Observer. 15 February 2004. 15 December 2016. 8 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308220924/http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2004/feb/15/features.review57. live.
  2. Web site: Simon Brett, Mystery, And Drama. CBS News. 4 March 2013. 31 March 2001.
  3. Web site: Inspiration. BBC Radio 4 website. 4 March 2013. 16 June 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120616154855/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/comedy/inspiration.shtml. live.
  4. Web site: Arnold. Steve. Man of Soup. British Comedy Guide. 4 March 2013. 12 October 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071012221439/http://www.britishcomedy.org.uk/comedy/mosoup.html. live.
  5. News: Lezard. Nicholas. Radio: Comedy turns on the potter's wheel; Night Class Radio 4. https://archive.today/20130411020849/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1702873.html. dead. 11 April 2013. The Independent (UK). 1 September 2002.
  6. News: Reynolds. Gillian. Radio's unlikely whirlwind affair with Lenny Henry, review. 5 March 2013. The Daily Telegraph (UK). 22 Feb 2010. 13 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121113143812/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7293957/Radios-unlikely-whirlwind-affair-with-Lenny-Henry-review.html. live.
  7. News: Lezard. Nicholas. Gabby Logan Radio 5 Live Rudy's Rare Records, Radio 4. The Independent (UK). 2 March 2008. 3 September 2017. 18 January 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110118075435/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/gabby-logan-radio-5-livebr-rudys-rare-records-radio-4-790159.html. live.
  8. News: Daoust. Phil. Radio Pick of the day. 6 March 2013. The Guardian (UK). 2003-07-07. 11 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140911151411/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/jul/07/tvandradio.radio. live.
  9. Web site: Ms Sue Limb. Debretts. 5 March 2013. 8 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130508164015/http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/browse/l/15366/Sue+LIMB.aspx. live.
  10. Web site: And Now In Colour. TV Cream. 24 August 2009 . 4 March 2013. 1 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130501161657/http://www.tvcream.co.uk/?p=8015. live.
  11. Web site: Five Squeezy Pieces. British Comedy Guide. 4 March 2013. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055642/http://www.britishcomedy.org.uk/comedy/squeezy.html. live.
  12. Web site: The Jason Explanation. TV Cream. 6 October 2009 . 4 March 2013. 1 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130501163652/http://www.tvcream.co.uk/?p=11397. live.
  13. Web site: Arnold. Steve. The Jason Explanation. British Comedy Guide. 4 March 2013. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055600/http://www.britishcomedy.org.uk/comedy/explanation.html. live.
  14. Web site: Frank Muir Goes Into.... TV Cream. 21 September 2009 . 4 March 2013. 1 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130501163639/http://www.tvcream.co.uk/?p=11910. live.
  15. Web site: On the record. Chortle. 5 March 2013. 2003-05-14. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035255/http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2003/05/14/2852/on_the_record. live.
  16. Web site: Fred Housego's Unknowns. Radio Listings. 4 March 2013. 19 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150419222320/http://www.radiolistings.co.uk/programmes/f/fr/fred_housego_s_unknowns.html. live.
  17. "Answers from Dial a Scientist" (pub. 1976)
  18. Web site: Brian J Ford's "Science Now" 'bibliography' – Accessed 12 Jun 2007 . 17 May 2007 . 27 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927213538/http://www.brianjford.com/wscinow.htm . live .
  19. Web site: "History of the BBC – 1970s" (BBC) – (pdf) – Accessed 12 Jun 2007 . 23 December 2019 . 24 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090424053311/http://www.bbc.co.uk/heritage/more/pdfs/1970s.pdf . live .
  20. http://www.jeremynicholas.com/lyricist.htm Jeremy Nicholas (lyricist) – Accessed 12 Jun 2007
  21. http://www.brianjford.com/wbib73.htm Brian J Ford's 'bibliography' for 1973
  22. http://www.brianjford.com/wbib74.htm Brian J Ford's 'bibliography' for 1974