2026-01-21 03:58 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 04:00 Great British Railway Journeys Michael Portillo strikes out to explore the Britain of his youth, starting at Preston's Fulwood Barracks and heading across to Bury Bolton Street station in Greater Manchester. 04:30 Wainwright Walks Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. She sets off to climb Helvellyn via the fearsome ridge of Striding Edge. 05:00 Yes, Prime Minister Classic political sitcom. When Jim Hacker's predecessor decides to publish his memoirs, the PM tries to suppress a chapter in which he appears unfavourably. 05:30 Yes, Prime Minister Classic political sitcom. When Jim Hacker discovers the French are planning some dirty tricks to get political advantage, the PM turns the tables on them. 06:00 JLB: The Man Who Saw the Future Profile of John Logie Baird, the man who invented television, concentrating on how his dedication and drive made his achievements possible, presented by his son, Malcolm. 07:15 The Birth of Television Leslie Mitchell traces the origins of television, from the beginning of the 20th century to the first outside broadcast - the coronation of George VI in 1937. 08:45 The Lost World of Tibet Dan Cruickshank presents a documentary revealing the story of the Dalai Lama, his secret Himalayan kingdom and his exile, using eyewitness accounts and colour archive footage. 09:45 Great British Railway Journeys Michael Portillo strikes out to explore the Britain of his youth, starting at Preston's Fulwood Barracks and heading across to Bury Bolton Street station in Greater Manchester. 10:15 Wainwright Walks Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. She sets off to climb Helvellyn via the fearsome ridge of Striding Edge. 10:45 JLB: The Man Who Saw the Future Profile of John Logie Baird, the man who invented television, concentrating on how his dedication and drive made his achievements possible, presented by his son, Malcolm. 12:00 Wild China The hills of Guilin and the fishermen of the Li River form the heart of this exploration of the rice-growing cultures and strange creatures of southern China. 13:00 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 20:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm
2026-01-22 02:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm 03:58 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 04:00 Great British Railway Journeys Michael celebrates new beginnings for the nation in the years after the Second World War. 04:30 Wainwright Walks Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. She visits Derwent Water and Keswick to tackle the climb of Catbells. 05:00 The Bermuda Triangle: Beneath the Waves An attempt to prove whether there is any truth behind the legend of the Bermuda Triangle. 06:00 Victoria: A Royal Love Story Fiona Bruce traces the story of the love between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, meeting HRH Prince Charles and visiting the royal palaces that the couple made their own. 07:00 Smiley's People Seminal spy drama series from 1982. Two seemingly unconnected events summon master spy George Smiley from retirement. 08:00 Smiley's People Seminal spy drama series from 1982. Lacon's instructions to Smiley are specific, but Vladimir had two proofs and was bringing them with him. 09:00 Sleuths, Spies & Sorcerers: Andrew Marr's Paperback Heroes Andrew Marr investigates detective fiction, and reveals how it works. 10:00 Great British Railway Journeys Michael celebrates new beginnings for the nation in the years after the Second World War. 10:30 Wainwright Walks Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. She visits Derwent Water and Keswick to tackle the climb of Catbells. 11:00 Wainwright: The Man Who Loved the Lakes Documentary recalling the life of Alfred Wainwright, the eccentric Lancastrian who created a series of iconic fell-walking books in the 1950s, and his love for the Lake District. 12:00 The Bermuda Triangle: Beneath the Waves An attempt to prove whether there is any truth behind the legend of the Bermuda Triangle. 13:00 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 14:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm 20:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm
2026-01-23 02:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm 03:58 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 04:00 Great British Railway Journeys Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram delivers Michael to the former cotton town of Oldham. He heads across to Wakefield and the striking postwar sculptures of Barbara Hepworth. 04:30 Wainwright Walks Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. She aims to reach the summits of Crinkle Crags and Bowfell in Lakeland. 05:00 The Stuarts in Exile Dr Clare Jackson reveals why so many law-abiding Scots and English were prepared to support the catholic Stuarts. 06:00 Wogan Terry Wogan is joined by dancer and actress Moira Shearer, choreographer Gillian Lynne, film director James Ivory, actress Hayley Mills and singer Kit Harvey. 06:40 Moira Shearer - The Reluctant Star: ArtWorks Scotland The life of Scotland's acclaimed ballerina, best known for the film classic The Red Shoes. 07:10 The Red Shoes Drama about a young ballerina torn between two creative but possessive men - one a struggling composer, the other an autocratic impresario. 09:20 The Elephant Man An ambitious surgeon encounters a disfigured sideshow freak and takes him under his wing. Contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting. 11:20 The Stuarts in Exile Dr Clare Jackson reveals why so many law-abiding Scots and English were prepared to support the catholic Stuarts. 12:20 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 14:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm 20:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm
2026-01-24 02:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm 03:58 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 04:00 TOTP: 1999 Kate Thornton presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 February 1999 and featuring Blondie, Next of Kin, Unkle ft Ian Brown, The Moffats, Blur and Lenny Kravitz. 04:30 TOTP: 1999 Jayne Middlemiss presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 February 1999 and featuring The Corrs, NSYNC, Lauryn Hill, Lucid, Lenny Kravitz and Britney Spears. 05:00 TOTP: 1981 Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, with performances from The Look, Spandau Ballet, XTC, Adam and the Ants, Bad Manners and Blondie. 05:30 TOTP: 1992 Mark Franklin and Steve Anderson present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 January 1992 and featuring 2 Unlimited, Shakespears Sister, Curtis Stigers and Genesis. 06:00 TOTP: 1976 Noel Edmonds presents the pop chart programme, featuring Abba, Hot Chocolate, Brotherhood of Man, Sheer Elegance, Paul Nicholas, Linda Lewis, The Four Seasons and 10CC. 06:40 TOTP: 1976 David Hamilton presents the pop chart programme, featuring Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, Harpo, Sheer Elegance, The Rubettes, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Abba and Brotherhood of Man. 07:20 Carole King and James Taylor: Just Call Out My Name A look at the songwriting partnership of legendary artists Carole King and James Taylor, with performances of some of their classic songs. 08:55 Carole King: In Concert Footage of the singer-songwriter performing songs including I Feel the Earth Move, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow and Up on the Roof for a BBC live studio performance in 1971. 09:25 James Taylor: In Concert Music concert from 1971 featuring American singer-songwriter James Taylor, with a special guest appearance by Carole King. 10:10 Carole King: Home Again - Live in Central Park Carole King's previously unseen homecoming concert in New York City's Central Park in 1973. 11:30 Carole King and Her Songs at the BBC A celebration of Carole King, featuring performances from her and other great artists. 12:30 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 14:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm 20:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm
2026-01-25 02:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm 03:58 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 04:00 Meet the Ancestors Archaeologist Julian Richards visits a team working on one of the most impressive Anglo-Saxon graveyards ever discovered, on a US air force base in Suffolk. 04:30 The Flying Gardener Chris Beardshaw visits Hampshire to find out the best way to get summer colour into the garden. 04:50 The Good Old Days Leonard Sachs presents the old-time music hall programme from the City Varieties Theatre, Leeds. Featuring Beryl Reid, Roy Castle, Lorna Dallas, Gino Donati and the Valla Bertini. 05:35 Hetty Wainthropp Investigates A letter informs Robert that his Uncle Albert has been found dead from an apparent suicide. Hetty finds the circumstances suspicious and begins to suspect witchcraft was involved. 06:25 Blackshore With the murder victim's daughter missing, Fia is in a race against time for the truth. Contains some strong language, some violence and some upsetting scenes. 07:20 Blackshore As the past and present merge, Fia uncovers the truth behind the hidden abuse in the town. Contains some strong language, some sexual content and some upsetting sc.. 08:10 Angelou on Burns Writer and poet Maya Angelou goes on a pilgrimage to Burns Country in Scotland. Contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting. 09:00 Robert Burns: The People's Poet Andrew O'Hagan journeys to the places in Scotland that inspired poet Robert Burns. Contains some strong language. 10:30 Yes, Prime Minister Classic political sitcom. When Jim Hacker's predecessor decides to publish his memoirs, the PM tries to suppress a chapter in which he appears unfavourably. 11:00 Yes, Prime Minister Classic political sitcom. When Jim Hacker discovers the French are planning some dirty tricks to get political advantage, the PM turns the tables on them. 11:30 Meet the Ancestors Archaeologist Julian Richards visits a team working on one of the most impressive Anglo-Saxon graveyards ever discovered, on a US air force base in Suffolk. 12:00 Hetty Wainthropp Investigates A letter informs Robert that his Uncle Albert has been found dead from an apparent suicide. Hetty finds the circumstances suspicious and begins to suspect witchcraft was involved. 12:50 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 14:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm 20:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm
2026-01-26 02:30 ..programmes start at 7.00pm 03:58 This is BBC Four Programmes start at 7.00pm. 04:00 BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at 90: Inside Classical Sir Stephen Hough plays Grieg's Piano Concerto at a concert for the orchestra's birthday. 06:05 Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry Experts from archaeologists to astrophysicists offer new insights on the Bayeux Tapestry, an artefact which, despite its fame, has remained shrouded in mystery. 07:05 Ibsen: Ghosts The 1987 adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's classic play explores the hypocrisy of middle-class Victorian society. 08:50 Summer in Gossensass From 1964, a documentary about the sixty-second year in the life of the great Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen.