BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station which broadcasts a wide variety of programmes including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It is broadcast on 92 - 95 MHz FM and 198 kHz AM; and via DAB, satellite and the Internet.

Radio 4 came into existence on September 30, 1967, when the BBC re-launched all its domestic radio stations under new names. It had previously been known as the "Home Service" (to distinguish it from the World Service); these networks were originally called the National Programme and the General Overseas Service respectively. Radio 4 is the second most popular British domestic radio station after Radio 2.

Music and sport are the only two fields that generally fall outside the station's remit. There are occasional concerts, however, and ball-by-ball commentaries of most test matches played by the England cricket team are broadcast on long wave only.

Because the long wave service can be received clearly at sea in the vicinity of the British Isles, Radio 4 also carries regular weather forecasts for shipping and, when necessary, gale warnings.

Regular programmes include:

• Any Questions?[?]
• The Archers
• Brain of Britain[?]
• Broadcasting House[?]
• Desert Island Discs
• Farming Today[?]
• The Food Programme[?]
• From our own Correspondent[?]
• Gardener's Question Time[?]
• Home Truths[?]
• I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
• I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again
• Just a Minute
• Letter from America[?]
• The News Quiz[?]
• PM[?]
• Shipping Forecast
• Test Match Special[?]
• Today
• Woman's Hour[?]
• The World at One[?]
• The World Tonight[?]

Other programmes that have featured on Radio 4:

• Dead Ringers[?]
• The Goon Show
• The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
• Journey Into Space
• Radio Active
• Space Force[?]
• Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Many shows from the Radio 4 archives can now be heard on BBC 7.

External link

• BBC Radio 4 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/)