BBC four

Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw's Guide, Michael Portillo crosses the south east of Australia, from the seat of government in Canberra to the multi-ethnic heart of its second largest city, Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. Floating above Canberra in a hot air balloon, Michael sees how Australia's "Bush Capital" was planned in the early 20th century and tours the nation's parliament. He takes the h

Jump on board with narrowboater Robbie Cumming as he explores the Victorian village of Saltaire in West Yorkshire on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, moors up in Leeds Dock, and goes in search of an abandoned waterway on the Aire and Calder Navigation.

Technical developments are enabling us to see the world of plants in ever greater detail, giving us insights into their remarkable abilities to adapt and survive.

Florida is famous for its beaches, blue water and year round sun – but it also has a surprising wild side. It is home to pine forests, coral reefs and the famous Everglades wetland, the largest sub-tropical wilderness in the US. Here, manatees swim in crystal clear rivers, baby alligators practice their hunting skills and miniature deer roam free. Every year, this state faces the full forces of na

Exploring the corner of England that featured so strongly in the life of Thomas Hardy.

Desmond Hawkins finds local features that can be identified in Thomas Hardy's novels.

When Farmer Lodge brings home his new bride, a mysterious enemy awaits.

The lives of two "Fellow Townsmen" become tragically interwoven.

Like a ghost from the past, the Halborough brothers' drunken father reappears to destroy their image of respectability. Dramatised by Dennis Potter and starring John Hurt.

Class is present from the time the very first novels in English appeared. This episode begins with one of the most famous portrayals of the fate of the poor and the destitute – Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist, published in 1837. The "Condition of England" novel, by writers such as Dickens, Disraeli and Elizabeth Gaskell, whose Mary Barton is set in industrial Manchester, drew attention to and invok

Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw's Guide, Michael Portillo crosses the south east of Australia, from the seat of government in Canberra to the multi-ethnic heart of its second largest city, Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. Floating above Canberra in a hot air balloon, Michael sees how Australia's "Bush Capital" was planned in the early 20th century and tours the nation's parliament. He takes the h

Jump on board with narrowboater Robbie Cumming as he explores the Victorian village of Saltaire in West Yorkshire on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, moors up in Leeds Dock, and goes in search of an abandoned waterway on the Aire and Calder Navigation.

Dan Cruickshank reveals the extraordinary story behind the design and building of iconic First World War memorials and explores the idea behind the creation of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Michael Portillo continues his exploration of southeast Australia in Melbourne, Victoria, guided by his 1913 Bradshaw. In the suburb of Lilydale, he discovers Coombe Cottage, the beautiful former home of Melbourne's superstar soprano, Dame Nellie Melba, built in 1912. Michael hears about her life and her worldwide fame and enjoys a private recital of one of her best-known songs. He also tastes the

The real side of boating with Robbie Cumming. On the last leg of his epic journey across the north of England, Robbie tackles the fast-flowing River Ouse and is forced to make an emergency stop. His destination is Ripon Basin at the outer reaches of our inland waterways.

Timeshift explores the lost world of coal mining and the extraordinarily rich social and cultural lives of those who worked in what was once Britain's most important industry. It's a story told through a largely forgotten film archive that movingly documents the final years of coal's heyday from the 1940s to the 1980s. One priceless piece of footage features a ballet performance by tutu-wearing co

Beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene catches the eye of local farmer Gabriel Oak when she arrives to live with her aunt in the Dorset village of Norcombe. She declines his offer of marriage, but their lives continue to intertwine as fate brings contrasting fortunes to both of them. Adapted by David Nicholls for BBC Films from the novel by Thomas Hardy.

Thomas Vinterberg gehörte einst zu den Mitbegründern von „Dogma 95“, dem Manifest, das zum Verzicht auf künstliche Beleuchtung, herbeigeschaffte Requisiten und Filmmusik aufforderte. Spartanische Bedingungen, von denen sich der dänische Regisseur („Die Jagd“) längst verabschiedet hat. Seine Thomas-Hardy-Verfilmung „Am grünen Rand der Welt“ ist ein betörendes Kostümdrama in opulenten Bildern. Carey

This month, The Sky at Night teams up with BBC Ideas to discover the secrets of archaeology and astronomy and to reflect on our ancestral skies. Throughout history and across the world, humanity has looked up and marvelled at the night sky. From ancient civilizations who were guided by the sun, moon and stars, to modern astronomers uncovering the universe's history, we have always found deep meani

A glorious national obsession is explored in this archive-rich look at the evolution of the weather forecast from print via radio to TV and beyond – and at the changing weather itself. It shows how the Met Office and the BBC have always used the latest technology to bring the holy grail of accurate forecasting that much closer – even if the odd messenger like TV weatherman Michael Fish has been sh

Michael Portillo continues his exploration of southeast Australia in Melbourne, Victoria, guided by his 1913 Bradshaw. In the suburb of Lilydale, he discovers Coombe Cottage, the beautiful former home of Melbourne's superstar soprano, Dame Nellie Melba, built in 1912. Michael hears about her life and her worldwide fame and enjoys a private recital of one of her best-known songs. He also tastes the

The real side of boating with Robbie Cumming. On the last leg of his epic journey across the north of England, Robbie tackles the fast-flowing River Ouse and is forced to make an emergency stop. His destination is Ripon Basin at the outer reaches of our inland waterways.

Timeshift explores the lost world of coal mining and the extraordinarily rich social and cultural lives of those who worked in what was once Britain's most important industry. It's a story told through a largely forgotten film archive that movingly documents the final years of coal's heyday from the 1940s to the 1980s. One priceless piece of footage features a ballet performance by tutu-wearing co

In this first episode, Mary Beard reaches back to the myths and legends of the origins of Rome to gain an insight into the deep-rooted psyche of the people of Rome – a city born through fratricide and rape. But from the very beginning, Rome was also an asylum for outcasts and exiles and because of this, it adopted a uniquely inclusive approach towards its neighbours and defeated enemies. The expan

Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 October 1996 and featuring Suede, Faithless, Babybird, Future Sound of London, Gina G, Enya, E-Motion, Madonna, Cast and Spice Girls.

Julian Clary presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 1 November 1996 and featuring Reef, Livin' Joy, Alisha's Attic, Madonna, Space, Wham!, Toni Braxton, Jimmy Nail, East 17 featuring Gabrielle and Spice Girls.

Simon Bates presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 November 1980 and featuring Iron Maiden, David Bowie, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Liquid Gold, Spandau Ballet, ABBA and Blondie. Plus a performance from Legs & Co and special guests Dr Hook and Stu Francis.

Bruno Brookes present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 15 November 1990 and featuring Black Box, Inspiral Carpets and Caron Wheeler.

On the eve of the release of their 2016 album, Acoustic, Simple Minds took to the stage at the Hackney Empire to perform a stripped-down and reimagined set of their songs spanning their eclectic and illustrious career. This Radio 2 In Concert hosted by Jo Whiley sees the Glaswegian rockers replace the synths with guitars to perform an acoustic set of songs without losing any of their essence.

Neil Diamond in concert from London's Roundhouse with his six-piece band performing tracks from his 2010 album Dreams, which explores the 60s and 70s songs he loves, and reinventing his classics. This is Neil Diamond stripped down with strings in his most intimate performance for years.

Legendary singer-songwriter and former Kinks' frontman Ray Davies is the star of the last night of the Electric Proms, presented by Stuart Maconie from Camden's Roundhouse. Joined by guests Johnny Borrell and the Crouch End Chorus, Ray performs tracks from his album Working Man's Cafe for the first time, as well as songs from a rich back catalogue, including Lola, Waterloo Sunset and All Day and A

KT Tunstall on the Other Stage on Saturday 25 June 2005.

American singer-songwriter and swamp rock pioneer Tony Joe White in concert in 1974.

Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 October 1996 and featuring Suede, Faithless, Babybird, Future Sound of London, Gina G, Enya, E-Motion, Madonna, Cast and Spice Girls.

Julian Clary presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 1 November 1996 and featuring Reef, Livin' Joy, Alisha's Attic, Madonna, Space, Wham!, Toni Braxton, Jimmy Nail, East 17 featuring Gabrielle and Spice Girls.

Simon Bates presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 13 November 1980 and featuring Iron Maiden, David Bowie, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Liquid Gold, Spandau Ballet, ABBA and Blondie. Plus a performance from Legs & Co and special guests Dr Hook and Stu Francis.

Bruno Brookes present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 15 November 1990 and featuring Black Box, Inspiral Carpets and Caron Wheeler.

Chris Beardshaw visits Hampshire.

Some farmers like to do their own vetting, but James discovers that sometimes the vet can cure the farmer.

Richard Carmody, a superior student, accompanies James on his rounds to learn, but it becomes clear that there is very little that he doesn't know.

With the latest killing, Louise's world falls apart. Jacob helps with the investigation, but Louise disturbs the process. Louise seeks comfort at Gunnar and Lena's apartment only to discover a new shocking lead. In Danish with English subtitles.

Teaming up with Jacob, Louise tries to prove the killer's guilt and uncover their motive. In Danish with English subtitles.

A dissident film-maker finds himself embroiled in a local scandal in a rural Iranian town.

Fletcher inadvertently becomes involved in the murky world of drugs.

When Sandy goes to Lionel's hotel for his book revisions, she is told he has checked out.

Some farmers like to do their own vetting, but James discovers that sometimes the vet can cure the farmer.

Richard Carmody, a superior student, accompanies James on his rounds to learn, but it becomes clear that there is very little that he doesn't know.

Chris Beardshaw visits Hampshire.

From the 2016 BBC Proms, Martha Argerich performs Schubert's Rondo in A.

Two great British tenors perform music by two great British composers. Ian Bostridge joins lutenist Elizabeth Kenny and the viol ensemble Fretwork for galliards and laments by John Dowland and a lute song from Benjamin Britten's opera Gloriana. James Gilchrist sings Britten's rarely heard Songs from the Chinese, accompanied by guitarist Christoph Denoth. To complete the programme, soprano Ruby Hug

A spellbinding new film of Benjamin Britten's hauntingly beautiful chamber opera, Curlew River, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The standout cast is led by internationally acclaimed tenor Ian Bostridge, as the Madwoman, in a performance lauded as 'heart-wrenchingly poignant', alongside the towering presence of Sir Willard White as the Abbott. Set in the ancient Fenlands of East An

A bleak dystopian future plays out before us as Royal Television Society award-winning actor Sacha Dhawan narrates George Orwell's profoundly impactful and thought-provoking classic. Nineteen Eighty-Four is Orwell's chilling critique of totalitarianism and the dangers of unchecked power. Despite its bleak tone, the compelling narrative and enduring relevance of its themes make it a must-read for l

Rudolph Cartier's 1954 BBC adaptation of George Orwell's dystopian story.

The biggest names in the current, buzzing UK jazz scene play live in a special edition of this iconic BBC jazz TV show. Sons of Kemet, Nubya Garcia, Kokoroko, Poppy Ajudha, Matthew Halsall, Moses Boyd and Exodus and Ezra Collective all contribute to an incredible line-up. The show, hosted by drummer Moses Boyd and 1Xtra presenter Jamz Supernova, also includes short films exploring the roots of the

A spellbinding new film of Benjamin Britten's hauntingly beautiful chamber opera, Curlew River, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The standout cast is led by internationally acclaimed tenor Ian Bostridge, as the Madwoman, in a performance lauded as 'heart-wrenchingly poignant', alongside the towering presence of Sir Willard White as the Abbott. Set in the ancient Fenlands of East An

A bleak dystopian future plays out before us as Royal Television Society award-winning actor Sacha Dhawan narrates George Orwell's profoundly impactful and thought-provoking classic. Nineteen Eighty-Four is Orwell's chilling critique of totalitarianism and the dangers of unchecked power. Despite its bleak tone, the compelling narrative and enduring relevance of its themes make it a must-read for l

From tropical rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef, Michael Portillo navigates his way by rail through Queensland, Australia with the aid of his 1913 Bradshaw's Guide. Inching his way across the Stony Creek Bridge on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, he marvels at the engineering expertise of the 1890s, when the line was built, and the magnificent scenery 300 metres below him. Following in the footsteps

Broadcaster Kate Garraway goes for an invigorating walk along the edge of the Cotswolds Hills. As she passes through the patch where she first cut her teeth as a reporter, she takes time to appreciate the stunning landscapes. From the panoramic viewpoint of Painswick Beacon, Kate descends through beech woods to the village of Upton St Leonards, soaking up the sounds of nature as she goes. From the

Simon Sebag Montefiore charts the rocky course of Rome's rise to become the capital of western Christendom and its impact on the lives of its citizens, elites and high priests. Rome casts aside its pantheon of pagan gods and a radical new religion takes hold. Christianity was just a persecuted sect until Emperor Constantine took a huge leap of faith, promoting it as the religion of Empire. But wou

In the second episode, Mary Beard explores the physical world of the Roman Empire, and finds surprising parallels with our own world. Setting out in the footsteps of the emperor Hadrian, she discovers a vast empire bound together by a common material culture, and a globalised economy of such scale that evidence of its side-effects can still be seen today, thousands of miles away from Rome. Mary un

Don Cupitt, one of Britain's leading Christian philosophers, once described by the Church Times as 'an ecclesiastical version of Tony Benn', marks 40 years since the broadcasting of his seminal 1984 series, The Sea of Faith. Cupitt's thought-provoking and challenging approach invited everyday viewers, as well as members of the Anglican clergy itself, to confront the reality of falling church atten

Don Cupitt reconstructs experiments that threatened the entire cosmology of Christendom.

Don Cupitt explores how Darwin's theory of evolution seemed to make the idea of special creation by God impossible. And Sigmund Freud's consulting room in Vienna was the scene of an even greater challenge to Christian orthodoxy.

Over a million animals are slaughtered on the sands of the arena by trained beastmasters, none more famous than Carpophorus. But when met with the unprecedented challenge of battling 20 wild creatures, can Carpophorus survive?