About Radio 4
Radio 4 is a station for anyone interested in intelligent speech. Its schedule is packed with the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.
How to Listen
In the UK you can listen to Radio 4 in many ways: on a digital (DAB) or FM radio, on digital television (live only), online through a computer; on a mobile phone or tablet, on an MP3 player.
Radio 4 can be found on the following channels, frequencies and websites:
- DAB Listed as "BBC Radio 4", "BBC R4", or "Radio 4"
- FM 92 - 95 FM, 103-105 FM
- LW 198 Long Wave
- MW Medium Wave is only available in some locations: Belfast - 720 MW, Carlisle - 1485 MW, Cornwall - 756 MW, Enniskillen - 774 MW, London - 720 MW, Londonderry - 720 MW, Newcastle - 603 MW, Plymouth - 774 MW
- Freeview Channel 704 (FM schedule only - the LW schedule is not broadcast on Freeview) (more info)
- Freesat Channel 704 (FM schedule) and 710 (LW schedule)
- SkyTV Channel 0104 (FM schedule) and 0143 (LW schedule)
- Virgin Channel 904 (FM schedule) and 911 (LW schedule)
How can I listen online?
You can listen live online and also listen again to programmes broadcast on BBC Sounds. You listen live by accessing the link in the top banner or catch up on a past programme by finding a programme in the Schedule.
To listen live to Radio 4 Long Wave (LW) : Long wave Listen Live
Listening on your Mobile Phone
Many Radio 4 programmes are available as podcasts or downloads which you can listen to on most devices. Downloads can be kept on your computer to listen to whenever you like.
Radio 4 podcasts can be found here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4
For technical questions about Listening online please see the BBC Sounds help pages.
Listen Live and Listen Again on the Internet
With BBC Sounds you can:
- Listen live to BBC radio programmes as they are broadcast
- Listen again to BBC radio programmes after broadcast
Go to BBC Sounds.
What is a podcast and how can I podcast, or download, a Radio 4 programme?
A number of Radio 4 programmes are available to download. A download or podcast is an audio file that you can save to your computer or mp3 player. Many mobile phones also have this functionality. You can keep any programme you download on your device, to play whenever you like. You can keep these programmes permanently.
You can use iTunes or any other podcast software to manage your podcasts, or simply download individual programmes directly from the Radio 4 Website. Find details of how to download on the Radio 4 Podcasts page.
Can I listen from outside the UK?
You can listen to Radio 4 online anywhere in the world however there are some types of content where we are restricted from distributing overseas, usually because of sports rights. If this is the case then the live and on demand stream will be blocked to international audiences for the duration of that segment. International audiences will hear a message informing them of the rights restrictions in place.
You won't be able to pick up BBC stations broadcasting on FM, MW and DAB very far from UK shores. They are funded by the UK licence fee and the BBC is not permitted to re-broadcast them from other countries.
However, in some areas close to the UK (such as Ireland, France, Denmark, Belgium and Holland) it is possible to receive Radio 4 on 198 kHz long wave.
For more information please see the BBC Sounds help site.
I'm having problems with my Radio Reception, can you help?
Visit the BBC's Reception website for comprehensive information on both radio and TV reception. Persistent problems are likely to need help from an aerial specialist. Please visit the BBC Reception website for more information.
Contact
To contact a Radio 4 programme, to give feedback on a programme or to find out more about a programme please visit the relevant programme page and email them via their 'Contact Us' link.
Please visit the programme page before you write in as you may be able to contact the programme team directly or get the information you need on the programme webpage.
You can also write to our programmes using the following address:
Programme Name,
Radio 4, BBC Broadcasting House,
London W1A 1AA
Join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BBCRadio4
Tweet us at @bbcradio4 on the Official BBC Radio 4 Twitter
You can get in touch with some programmes (eg Call You and Yours) on our text number on 84844. Texts will not be included in your inclusive text bundles, and the exact cost of each message depends on your service provider - it is typically between 10 and 15 pence per message. MMS (Picture) messages may cost more - you should check with your service provider for exact details. Please make sure you take care when entering our number as some subscription services have similar numbers to ours.
Complaints
The BBC has a system for dealing with complaints from our audience. All complaints about the BBC, our programmes and services should be sent via our Complaints Site.
Enquiries and Feedback
Due to the large amount of correspondence we receive, it is not always possible for us to reply to emails individually.
Your Privacy
The BBC and any service provider we engage will use the information you supply to respond to your queries/comments, to develop and enhance our services and for statistical analysis of audiences and users. For full details of our policy regarding the personal information we collect about you visit our Your Information and Privacy page.
Radio 4 on Long Wave
Radio 4 is available on Long Wave. A number of programmes are broadcast only on Radio 4 Long Wave and are not available on demand through iPlayer, but you can listen again using the links below where the programmes are available in Windows Media and Flash.
Here is the Radio 4 Long Wave Live Stream - Listen Now
Programmes broadcast only on Long Wave that are available on demand
An act of worship and music. Friday,
09:45 on BBC Radio 4 (LW only)
(15 min)
Regular broadcast of Christian worship and music.
09:45 on BBC Radio 4 (LW only)
(15 min)
News, views and features on yesterday's stories in Parliament.
08:30 on BBC Radio 4 (LW only)
(30 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get tickets for a recording of a Radio 4 Programme?
There are many opportunities to be an audience member at the recording of Radio 4 programmes, especially comedy shows. Visit the BBC Tours and Show site for more details.
Why is the Daily Service on Long Wave Only?
Radio 4 recognises that a group of its listeners value a daily worship programme. In order to provide a daily service for those who wanted it, as well as offering an alternative for those who don't, it was decided to split the network with the Daily Service being broadcast on Long Wave.
Long Wave was chosen for two reasons as the home for the Daily Service: LW is the signal which everyone can receive wherever they are in the UK, and LW usage amongst Daily Service listeners is slightly higher than among other Radio 4 listeners.
Why do you disrupt Radio 4 LW for Cricket Coverage?
Radio frequencies are allocated by the Government and Radio 4 is uniquely privileged in having two frequencies - FM and Long Wave. We have to use these frequencies to provide the best service to the greatest number of listeners.
Our research tells us that about two million people tune in to each match. It was therefore decided by the BBC's Board of Governors that the best option was to utilise Radio 4's Long Wave, with all the mainstream programming on FM. Most Radio 4 listeners choose to use the FM frequency rather than Long Wave when it is available, so this seemed to be the best use of our resources. Also, FM carries stereo, which is not necessary for cricket, but is, for example, for dramas. We can only apologise to those listeners who do not receive FM.
How can I promote a charity on the Radio 4 Appeal?
Charities wishing to feature on the Radio 4 Appeal should contact the BBC Appeals unit on 020 8008 1106.
How do I apply to host Gardeners' Question Time or Any Questions?
Anyone wanting to host the programe should complete the application form on the Gardeners' Question Time website.
Be warned - the waiting list is anything from 2 years upwards.
To apply to host Any Questions, write to the programme at: Room 6103, Broadcasting House, London, W1A 1AA or visit the Any Questions hosting page.
What is the music played before the late Shipping Forecast?
The music before the late-night shipping forecast is called Sailing By. It was composed by Ronald Binge, who wrote much other light music, notably Elizabethan Serenade. He also arranged Charmaine for Mantovani's orchestra. He died in 1979.
Sailing By's function on the network is to fill any airtime between the end of the late reading, at approximately 12.45am, and the shipping forecast at 12.48am, which mariners rightly expect us to transmit precisely on schedule. Very rarely, Sailing By might not be played at all because of time constraints. The version of Sailing By we use is not available commercially but you will find similar versions of the tune on CDs which feature the music of Ronald Binge.
