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 The Africans (2007) Americana (2009–11) Analysis (1970–) Any Answers? (1955–) Any Questions? (1948–) Asian Diasporas (2007–) The Bottom Line (2006–) Broadcasting House (1998–) Checkpoint (1973–85) (became Face The Facts) The Commission The Copysnatchers Crossing Continents (2002–) Does He Take Sugar? (1977–98) Face the Facts (1984–2015) Farming Today (1964-) Farming Today This Week File on 4 (1975–) From Our Own Correspondent (1955–) In Business (1975–) In Search of the British Work Ethic (2010) In Touch (1961–) Inside Money iPM (2007–?) Law in Action Letter from America (1946–2004) Midnight News Money Box (1977–) More or Less Nice Work (2002–05) Newshour (From September 2026–) The Pariah Profession PM (1970–) A Point of View (2005–2025) The Politics of Hunger Profile Seven Days Six O'Clock News Sport on Four (1977–98) Straw Poll Straw Poll Talk Back Taking Issue Taking a Stand Talking Politics Today (1957–) Today in Parliament (1945–) United Nations or Not? Week in Westminster The Westminster Hour With Us or Against Us The World at One (1965–) The World This Weekend The World Tonight (1970–2026) Yesterday in Parliament (1947 Light Programme; 1957–)
Drama A Touch of Mistletoe, 1930s-set sentimental drama The Afternoon Play The Archers (1950–), farming soap opera Cashcows (2005) The Classic Serial Dr Finlay's Casebook The Friday Play Paul Temple Saturday Night Theatre (1943–96) Talk to Sleep, 4-part comedy-drama by John Dryden Woman's Hour Drama Neverwhere Tumanbay Tracks The Children of the Stones The Stone Tape The Lovecraft Investigations
Arts The Afternoon Reading Back Row Book at Bedtime (1949–57 Light Programme; 1962–) Book of the Week Bookclub Bookshelf (created by Frank Delaney in 1978) The Film Programme Front Row A Good Read Kaleidoscope (1973–98) Loose Ends (1985–) The Heard Moving Pictures Open Book Poetry Please Radio Lives, (1990–96) profiles of radio personalities Radio Roots, profiles of radio personalities The Saturday Play Saturday Review Soul Music White Nights With Great Pleasure
Quizzes Counterpoint (1986–) Brain of Britain Masterteam, general knowledge quiz (2001–2006) Prompt!, theatre quiz (1986–1988) Round Britain Quiz The 3rd Degree Wildbrain, natural history quiz (1997–2002) X Marks the Spot (1998–2006)
Comedy
Panel games Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive (2005–08), satirical quiz Does the Team Think? (1957–67 Light Programme; 1968, 1970–73 Radio 2; 1970–71, 1974–76 Radio 4; 2007–09 Radio 2), parody of Any Questions? Foul Play, writers are asked to solve a murder mystery written by host Simon Brett Heresy (2003–), the presenter and a panel of guests commit "heresy" by challenging people's most deeply held opinions on a subject I Guess That's Why They Call It The News (2009), satirical news-based quiz I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (1972–), nonsensical word and musical games played by comedians Inspiration, quiz about inventions presented by Chris Stuart It's Your Round (2011), game in which each contestant suggests a game to play for one round Just a Minute (1967–), parlour game involving speaking without hesitation, deviation, or repetition King Stupid, earlier version of panel game The 99p Challenge Many a Slip (1964–79), contestants must spot mistakes in texts and music The Motion Show My Music (1967–93), musical games My Word! (1956–90), word games played by comedy writers and journalists The News Quiz (1977–), satirical quiz on week's news The 99p Challenge (1998–2004), silly games and tasks The Personality Test (2006–07), a guest host asks questions about his or herself Petticoat Line (1965–1976), all female discussion Puzzle Panel (1998–2005), puzzles Quote... Unquote (1976–), quiz about quotations So Wrong It's Right (2010–12), Charlie Brooker asks his guests to invent or nominate really awful things The Unbelievable Truth (2007–), game in which contestants deliver a mostly untrue speech and panelists must identify true statements We've Been Here Before, historically oriented panel show with Clive Anderson Whispers (2003–05), quiz about celebrity rumours and gossip Who Goes There, biographical quiz Whose Line is it Anyway? (1988), improvisational comedy game The Write Stuff (1998–2014), questions about literature and writing parodies of a specific author Wing it (2024– ), an improv panel show
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