BBC Four TV Guide and Listings
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Ancient Worlds
How did an insignificant cluster of Latin hill villages on the edge of the civilised world become the greatest empire the world has known? In the fifth programme of the series, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles examines the phenomenon of the Roman Republic, from its fratricidal mythical beginnings, with the legend of Romulus and Remus, to the all too real violence of its end, dragged to de
The Normans
UK history professor Robert Bartlett gives you a crash course in Norse history, outlining some of the most significant Norse (Viking) leaders. Robert travels across the British Isles, to Jerusalem over to Italy, exploring the extent of Norse influence between the 10th and 13th century. Watch as the professor visit historical landmarks and examine artefacts in relation to the greatest Norse conquer
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Secrets of Skin
Skin is an incredible, multi-function organ that science is still learning so much about. It has adapted to allow animals to conquer virtually every habitat on the planet. In this episode, Professor Ben Garrod reveals some ground-breaking new science and amazing, specialist, factual insight as he discovers how human skin is an ecosystem in its own right, playing host to demodex mites, that might r
Gareth Edwards's Great Welsh Adventure
Rugby legend Gareth Edwards and wife Maureen head to one of Wales's most popular holiday destinations. They arrive just as a heatwave hits, turning Llandudno into a resort to rival the best sunny seaside locations. Llandudno is known for its seafront hotels and B&Bs and the pair check in to a room with a sea view before going in search of the pier and ice cream. Once, people flocked here for a tra
Asteroids: Spark of Life?
Building Sights
The Planets
Early in the story of the planets, there was a beautiful water world, an oasis of hope in a sterile universe. But this was not Earth – this was the young Mars. Professor Brian Cox continues his tour of the solar system revealing that it was once home to not one, but two blue planets. For millions of years, Mars enjoyed oceans blanketed by a thick atmosphere and a temperate climate. Whilst at the s
Remembers...
Alison Steadman looks back at Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective, hailed as one of the most important and influential TV dramas ever made, and once described by Stephen King as 'television's Citizen Kane'. From memories of happy times working with leading man Michael Gambon, and the pride of being involved in a piece that got the whole nation talking, to the stresses of being caught up in the c
The Singing Detective
The Singing Detective
Secrets of Skin
Skin is an incredible, multi-function organ that science is still learning so much about. It has adapted to allow animals to conquer virtually every habitat on the planet. In this episode, Professor Ben Garrod reveals some ground-breaking new science and amazing, specialist, factual insight as he discovers how human skin is an ecosystem in its own right, playing host to demodex mites, that might r
Gareth Edwards's Great Welsh Adventure
Rugby legend Gareth Edwards and wife Maureen head to one of Wales's most popular holiday destinations. They arrive just as a heatwave hits, turning Llandudno into a resort to rival the best sunny seaside locations. Llandudno is known for its seafront hotels and B&Bs and the pair check in to a room with a sea view before going in search of the pier and ice cream. Once, people flocked here for a tra
Light and Dark
Two-part series in which Professor Jim Al-Khalili shows how scientists have used light to reveal almost everything we know about the universe. The story begins in the 3rd century BC when, by trying to understand the tricks of perspective, the Greek mathematician Euclid discovered that light travels in straight lines, which meant that if we could change its path we could change how we see the world
The Planets
Join Professor Brian Cox as he explores the planets of our solar system in this fascinating and stunning, five-part documentary series. Brian traces our knowledge as a species of these giant, celestial bodies, examining each planet's story and makeup. He looks back at their existence over billions of years, revealing each planet's journey with dazzling cinematography and compelling detail. Whether
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Where Eagles Dare
Deutschland 1944: Beim Bombenangriff der Alliierten auf Nürnberg wird die Maschine des US-Generals George Carneby abgeschossen. Im Nazi-Hauptquartier „Bergschloss Adler“, das hoch in den Alpen liegt und nur mit einer Seilbahn zu erreichen ist, will man Carneby zum Reden bringen. \n\nWeil der Gefangene über die Interna der geplanten Invasion in Europa Bescheid weiß, sollen der britische Abwehrspezi
Mercury Prize
Lauren Laverne presents the Mercury Prize Album of the Year from the Newcastle Arena. (Senderinfo).
North by Northwest
Den gemütlichen Theaterabend mit seiner geliebten Frau Mama kann sich Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) abschminken. Feindliche Agenten halten den harmlosen Werbefachmann für den amerikanischen Top-Spion George Kaplan und entführen ihn. Von den Bösewichtern abgefüllt, kann er entwischen, doch weder die Polizei noch seine Mutter kaufen dem Volltrunkenen seine abstruse Geschichte ab. Als er selbst unt
BBC Four is a British public television channel operated by the BBC, renowned for its focus on arts, music, international drama, history, and science documentaries. This TV guide provides an overview of how to navigate BBC Four listings, discover upcoming broadcasts, and track evening schedules.
About BBC Four
Launched in March 2002 as part of the BBC's digital television expansion, BBC Four serves as an alternative to mainstream commercial broadcasting. The channel operates primarily during evening and nighttime hours, sharing spectrum with CBeebies, which broadcasts during the day.
BBC Four has built a strong reputation for offering high-brow content, including foreign-language crime drama (often referred to as 'Nordic Noir'), in-depth historical investigations, classical and pop music archives, and analytical documentaries. The broadcaster is publicly funded in the United Kingdom via the TV licence fee and is available free-to-air across terrestrial, satellite, cable, and digital platforms.
BBC Four TV Guide & Daily Listings
Using a reliable tv guide helps viewers plan their evening viewing by providing a structured overview of scheduled broadcasts. BBC Four begins its daily transmission in the evening, with programming typically running through to the early hours of the morning.
A comprehensive daily schedule includes several key details for each broadcast slot:
- Program Title and Episode Details: Information regarding series number, episode title, and original production year.
- Broadcast Start and End Times: Scheduled transmission times for linear viewing.
- Genre and Synopsis: Descriptions detailing whether a program covers arts, history, performance, or international drama.
- Accessibility Flags: Indicators for subtitling, audio description, and sign language options.
TV Guide Listings for Tonight on BBC Four
Checking the tv guide listings for tonight allows viewers to scan peak-time programming, which generally features feature-length documentaries, flagship arts shows, or archive musical performances. Evening schedules on BBC Four are typically structured around themed strands or dedicated programming blocks.
Viewers looking for tonight's broadcast details can use schedule listings to verify exact start times, as live events, extended arts specials, or performance broadcasts can occasionally alter the standard evening lineup.
Programming Categories on BBC Four
The channel's lineup is predominantly non-fiction and specialist entertainment. Key categories include:
- Arts and Culture: Visual arts exhibitions, architectural history, literary retrospectives, and cultural commentary.
- Music Performances and Archives: Classic studio performances, music history documentaries, and live broadcasts from events such as the BBC Proms.
- International Drama: Acclaimed foreign-language series, particularly European drama and mystery series.
- Documentaries: Deep-dive series covering ancient history, science, philosophy, and social history.
How to Use the BBC Four Schedule
Navigating the television schedule efficiently ensures you do not miss upcoming episodes or one-off specials. Follow these steps to check broadcast times:
- Select the desired broadcast date from the schedule overview.
- Filter or scroll to your local time zone or region to ensure time accuracy.
- Review the evening grid starting from the channel's airtime onset (typically 19:00).
- Select specific program listings to read full episode summaries and repeat schedules.
- Note upcoming broadcasts to plan viewing or set up digital recordings.
Viewing Options and Availability
BBC Four is accessible across major television platforms throughout the United Kingdom:
- Freeview & Freesat: Free-to-air digital terrestrial and satellite delivery.
- Cable & Satellite Providers: Available on standard channel lineups via major UK television providers.
- On-Demand & Streaming: Catch-up content and live stream access are available online via BBC iPlayer for eligible UK license holders.
Regional Schedules and Time Zones
While BBC Four operates primarily as a national UK service, minor variations in electronic program guides (EPG) can occur depending on your regional service provider or local relay setups. Viewers outside the main UK time zone (GMT/BST) should adjust displayed listing times accordingly when viewing web-based schedule guides.
Schedule Accuracy and Changes
Television schedules remain subject to change due to breaking news events, extended live coverage of cultural events, or last-minute programming adjustments. Programming times can vary by date, region, and provider. Check the latest listings for the most current schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BBC Four TV Guide?
The BBC Four TV guide is a detailed schedule listing the broadcast dates, times, and descriptions for programs airing on the BBC Four television channel.
What time does BBC Four start broadcasting each day?
BBC Four typically begins its broadcast evening schedule at 19:00 GMT/BST, as the channel shares bandwidth with the CBeebies daytime service.
Where can I find tonight's BBC Four schedule?
You can find tonight's listings by checking an online television guide, reviewing your digital TV receiver's electronic program guide (EPG), or visiting the official BBC schedule pages.
Are BBC Four programs available on catch-up?
Yes, most BBC Four broadcasts are available for catch-up viewing online via BBC iPlayer shortly after their linear transmission.
Why do BBC Four program times sometimes change?
Broadcast times may shift due to extended live event coverage, special arts broadcasts, or unexpected alterations in the master broadcast schedule.