BBC R4 Ex TV Guide & Program Schedule
united kingdom
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
1/7. George Smiley returns from overseas to discover all is not well inside the shadowy world of the 'Circus'. Stars Bernard Hepton.
The Sand Leopard
2/8. As the Peregrine sails in search of World War Two sunken gold, are the two new crew members what they seem? Stars Neil McCallum.
Comedy Showcase
4 Extra Debut A pompous health farm manager tries to impress the new owner of the establishment. Stars Pauline Quirke. From 1999.
The Goon Show
2/24. Neddie Seagoon's odd discovery in some meatloaf sparks a trip to America to make his fortune. Stars Harry Secombe. From 1954.
Relativity
2/4. Margaret and Ken invite all the family round to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Starring Richard Herring. From 2017.
The Young Accomplice by Benjamin Wood
2/10. The Mayhoods take on ex-borstal inmates Joyce and Charlie as apprentices at their farm-based practice. Read by Rupert Evans.
A Monkey With a Box of Paints
2/5. The life of female impressionist painter Berthe Morisot: confidence and self-doubt in Paris. Stars Sarah-Jane Holm.
The Unbelievable Truth
5/6. David Mitchell gets Angela Barnes, Glenn Moore, Shaparak Khorsandi and Neil Delamere to smuggle truths past each other. From 2024.
Hazelbeach
4/6. Ronnie has a devious idea to get Nick's ex-girlfriend back. What could go wrong? Stars Jamie Foreman. From 2007.
One Chord Wonders
2/5. Mo's attempt to re-launch her radio career brings unwelcome attention from some of her 'livelier' listeners. Stars Pauline Quirke.
Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club
4/4. Geoff Norcott examines modern masculinity, with the help of his audience in Leeds. This week, how do men deal with pregnancy?
Innes Own World
4/4. Neil Innes recalls working with Monty Python and performs jingles for products you never knew you needed. From 2003.
The Comedy Club Interview
The Comedy Club - Two hours of comedy, every night from 10pm. Tonight, Athena Kugblenu concludes her chat with comedian, actor and music maker Nick Helm.
It is Rocket Science
2/4. The 1950s plan to build a nuclear-powered spaceship, Project Orion. Quirky true history with Peter Serafinowicz. From 2012.
Little Lifetimes
4/6. When Gail takes her husband's car she embarks on a journey that has a surprising destination. Stars Sarah Hadland. From 2015.
The In Crowd
3/6. Predicting the future and sequin waste. Manchester sketch show with Kate Ward, Smug Roberts and Robin Ince. From June 2004.
A Good Read - Shami Chakrabarti and Monica Ali
Monica Ali, Shami Chakrabarti and Harriett Gilbert discuss books by Evelyn Waugh, Rachel Holmes and EB White. From 2014.
Miss Simpson's Children
4 Extra Debut The story of how one woman offered refuge to leading intellectuals who were fleeing from the Nazis. From 2017.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
1/7. George Smiley returns from overseas to discover all is not well inside the shadowy world of the 'Circus'. Stars Bernard Hepton.
The Sand Leopard
2/8. As the Peregrine sails in search of World War Two sunken gold, are the two new crew members what they seem? Stars Neil McCallum.
Comedy Showcase
4 Extra Debut A pompous health farm manager tries to impress the new owner of the establishment. Stars Pauline Quirke. From 1999.
The Goon Show
2/24. Neddie Seagoon's odd discovery in some meatloaf sparks a trip to America to make his fortune. Stars Harry Secombe. From 1954.
Relativity
2/4. Margaret and Ken invite all the family round to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Starring Richard Herring. From 2017.
The Young Accomplice by Benjamin Wood
2/10. The Mayhoods take on ex-borstal inmates Joyce and Charlie as apprentices at their farm-based practice. Read by Rupert Evans.
A Monkey With a Box of Paints
2/5. The life of female impressionist painter Berthe Morisot: confidence and self-doubt in Paris. Stars Sarah-Jane Holm.
The Unbelievable Truth
5/6. David Mitchell gets Angela Barnes, Glenn Moore, Shaparak Khorsandi and Neil Delamere to smuggle truths past each other. From 2024.
Hazelbeach
4/6. Ronnie has a devious idea to get Nick's ex-girlfriend back. What could go wrong? Stars Jamie Foreman. From 2007.
One Chord Wonders
2/5. Mo's attempt to re-launch her radio career brings unwelcome attention from some of her 'livelier' listeners. Stars Pauline Quirke.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
2/7. A year since George Smiley was sent into premature retirement, but he's not been forgotten at the 'Circus'. Stars George Hepton.
The Sand Leopard
3/8. Searching for sunken Second World War gold, why have two new crew members seized the Peregrine? Stars Neil McCallum.
After Henry
3/8. Sarah tidies up husband Henry's study four years after his death. Stars Prunella Scales and Joan Sanderson. From 1987.
The Missing Hancocks
2/5. The lad takes up astronomy, and spots something terrible among the stars. Stars Kevin McNally. 1955 episode re-recorded in 2015.
Conversations from a Long Marriage
4/6. Everything is making Roger grumpy. Whose fault is it? Stars Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. From 2023.
The Young Accomplice by Benjamin Wood
3/10. Arthur and Florence Mayhood are inspired by the principles of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Read by Rupert Evans.
A Monkey With a Box of Paints
3/5. The life of female impressionist painter Berthe Morisot: posing for Manet and a new rival. Stars Sarah-Jane Holm.
Glenn Moore's Almanac
2/8. Comedian Glenn Moore looks in his almanac at world events and what he was doing at the time - as the 2005 General Election inspires Glenn to stand in his school's own mock election.
An Almanac for Anxiety: In Search of a Calmer Mind
Exploring how interacting with water can improve mental wellbeing - Helen Needham joins cold water swimmers in Devon. From 2023.
Daily Service
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music led by Holly Adams.
Whatever Happened To J.B. Priestley
JB Priestley was once one of Britain's most important people. Stuart Maconie wonders why so few are aware of him now? From 2023.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
2/7. A year since George Smiley was sent into premature retirement, but he's not been forgotten at the 'Circus'. Stars George Hepton.
The Sand Leopard
3/8. Searching for sunken Second World War gold, why have two new crew members seized the Peregrine? Stars Neil McCallum.
After Henry
3/8. Sarah tidies up husband Henry's study four years after his death. Stars Prunella Scales and Joan Sanderson. From 1987.
The Missing Hancocks
2/5. The lad takes up astronomy, and spots something terrible among the stars. Stars Kevin McNally. 1955 episode re-recorded in 2015.
Conversations from a Long Marriage
4/6. Everything is making Roger grumpy. Whose fault is it? Stars Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. From 2023.
The Young Accomplice by Benjamin Wood
3/10. Arthur and Florence Mayhood are inspired by the principles of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Read by Rupert Evans.
A Monkey With a Box of Paints
3/5. The life of female impressionist painter Berthe Morisot: posing for Manet and a new rival. Stars Sarah-Jane Holm.
Hoax! - From 20/12/1994
Tim Brooke-Taylor tries to tease the truth out of Ray Cooney, Peter Jones and Dennis Norden. From 1994.
Gilbert Without Sullivan
1/5. Things go from bad to worse when, on his wedding day, Woodpecker Tapping's horse eats a lady's hat. Stars Jason Chan. From 2004.
One Chord Wonders
3/5. Mick is in prison after an unfortunate incident with a fan. An invitation to a punk reunion stirs memories. Stars Richard Ridings.
Whatever Happened To J.B. Priestley
JB Priestley was once one of Britain's most important people. Stuart Maconie wonders why so few are aware of him now? From 2023.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
2/7. A year since George Smiley was sent into premature retirement, but he's not been forgotten at the 'Circus'. Stars George Hepton.
The Sand Leopard
3/8. Searching for sunken Second World War gold, why have two new crew members seized the Peregrine? Stars Neil McCallum.
After Henry
3/8. Sarah tidies up husband Henry's study four years after his death. Stars Prunella Scales and Joan Sanderson. From 1987.
The Missing Hancocks
2/5. The lad takes up astronomy, and spots something terrible among the stars. Stars Kevin McNally. 1955 episode re-recorded in 2015.
Conversations from a Long Marriage
4/6. Everything is making Roger grumpy. Whose fault is it? Stars Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. From 2023.
The Young Accomplice by Benjamin Wood
3/10. Arthur and Florence Mayhood are inspired by the principles of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Read by Rupert Evans.
A Monkey With a Box of Paints
3/5. The life of female impressionist painter Berthe Morisot: posing for Manet and a new rival. Stars Sarah-Jane Holm.
Hoax! - From 20/12/1994
Tim Brooke-Taylor tries to tease the truth out of Ray Cooney, Peter Jones and Dennis Norden. From 1994.
Gilbert Without Sullivan
1/5. Things go from bad to worse when, on his wedding day, Woodpecker Tapping's horse eats a lady's hat. Stars Jason Chan. From 2004.
One Chord Wonders
3/5. Mick is in prison after an unfortunate incident with a fan. An invitation to a punk reunion stirs memories. Stars Richard Ridings.
Glenn Moore's Almanac
2/8. Comedian Glenn Moore looks in his almanac at world events and what he was doing at the time - as the 2005 General Election inspires Glenn to stand in his school's own mock election.
Mitch Benn's Crimes Against Music
5/6. Mitch shares his musical experiences and wonders if he should break into 'new media' to survive? With Robin Ince. From 2005.
Mark Thomas: The Manifesto
1/4. The comedian-activist and his audience consider tax-avoidance, quantitative easing and voting reform. From February 2012.
Twenty Players
2/6. Forgotten sporting heroes. David Vine tells the story of Britain's most intrepid mixed lugers. From 1995.
The Goldfish Bowl
7/8. Will their owners reconcile? Liam and Anton get a fish's eye view. With Shaun Prendergast and Hamish McColl. From 1998.
Whatever Happened To J.B. Priestley
JB Priestley was once one of Britain's most important people. Stuart Maconie wonders why so few are aware of him now? From 2023.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
2/7. A year since George Smiley was sent into premature retirement, but he's not been forgotten at the 'Circus'. Stars George Hepton.
The Sand Leopard
3/8. Searching for sunken Second World War gold, why have two new crew members seized the Peregrine? Stars Neil McCallum.
After Henry
3/8. Sarah tidies up husband Henry's study four years after his death. Stars Prunella Scales and Joan Sanderson. From 1987.
The Missing Hancocks
2/5. The lad takes up astronomy, and spots something terrible among the stars. Stars Kevin McNally. 1955 episode re-recorded in 2015.
Conversations from a Long Marriage
4/6. Everything is making Roger grumpy. Whose fault is it? Stars Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. From 2023.
The Young Accomplice by Benjamin Wood
3/10. Arthur and Florence Mayhood are inspired by the principles of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Read by Rupert Evans.
A Monkey With a Box of Paints
3/5. The life of female impressionist painter Berthe Morisot: posing for Manet and a new rival. Stars Sarah-Jane Holm.
Hoax! - From 20/12/1994
Tim Brooke-Taylor tries to tease the truth out of Ray Cooney, Peter Jones and Dennis Norden. From 1994.
Gilbert Without Sullivan
1/5. Things go from bad to worse when, on his wedding day, Woodpecker Tapping's horse eats a lady's hat. Stars Jason Chan. From 2004.
One Chord Wonders
3/5. Mick is in prison after an unfortunate incident with a fan. An invitation to a punk reunion stirs memories. Stars Richard Ridings.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
3/7. A Russian double agent is operating inside the 'Circus' - if George Smiley can believe Irina's story. Stars Bernard Hepton.
The Sand Leopard
4/8. Having seized the Peregrine, will Sergei and Perry reveal their plans for the sunken wartime gold? Starring Neil McCallum.
Capital Gains
4/4. Events move rapidly as Julius Hutch undertakes a desperate mission in his eco-protest. Stars Peter Jones. From August 1987.
The Burkiss Way
14/15. General Custer tackles his last stand with a battle of one-liners. Stars Fred Harris, Nigel Rees and Jo Kendall. From 1978.
Man at the Helm
1/4. The madcap schemes of three 1970s Leicestershire kids trying to find their divorced mum a new man. Stars Eloise Webb. From 2016.
The Young Accomplice by Benjamin Wood
4/10. When old Mr Hollis, the farm manager, disappears, Joyce fears her past is about to catch up with her. Read by Rupert Evans.
A Monkey With a Box of Paints
4/5. The life of female impressionist painter Berthe Morisot: art faces the pressures of war with Prussia. Stars Sarah-Jane Holm.
Do Gooders
2/6. The gang head to Wales for a sponsored walk in Garrett Millerick's new sitcom exploring the frustrations of charity fundraising.
An Almanac for Anxiety: In Search of a Calmer Mind
Exploring how interacting with the air can improve mental wellbeing. Helen Needham learns about breathing techniques. From 2023.
Daily Service
A space for spiritual reflection with a Bible reading, prayer and a range of Christian music led by Bishop David Walker.
Great Lives - Hans Christian Andersen
Journalist Michael Booth picks author Hans Christian Andersen. With Michael Rosen. Presented by Matthew Parris. From 2021.
My Secret Wig
4 Extra Debut Lots of people wear wigs - in secret. Brian Kernohan explores their hidden world. Can wigs help his own hair loss? From 2017.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
3/7. A Russian double agent is operating inside the 'Circus' - if George Smiley can believe Irina's story. Stars Bernard Hepton.
The Sand Leopard
4/8. Having seized the Peregrine, will Sergei and Perry reveal their plans for the sunken wartime gold? Starring Neil McCallum.
Capital Gains
4/4. Events move rapidly as Julius Hutch undertakes a desperate mission in his eco-protest. Stars Peter Jones. From August 1987.
The Burkiss Way
14/15. General Custer tackles his last stand with a battle of one-liners. Stars Fred Harris, Nigel Rees and Jo Kendall. From 1978.
Man at the Helm
1/4. The madcap schemes of three 1970s Leicestershire kids trying to find their divorced mum a new man. Stars Eloise Webb. From 2016.
The Young Accomplice by Benjamin Wood
4/10. When old Mr Hollis, the farm manager, disappears, Joyce fears her past is about to catch up with her. Read by Rupert Evans.
A Monkey With a Box of Paints
4/5. The life of female impressionist painter Berthe Morisot: art faces the pressures of war with Prussia. Stars Sarah-Jane Holm.
My Generation
Stuart Maconie tests how much people of different ages know about their own decades, and those of their opponents. From 2020.
Two Doors Down
1/4. Marlborough Road's Clare is giving a lecture, with cleaner Sally smoothing the way. Stars Stella McCusker. From July 2002.
One Chord Wonders
4/5. Ex-punk anarchist Muttley's unlikely pilgrimage to Camberley with his daughter takes him back to his youth. Stars Danny Webb.
Great Lives - Hans Christian Andersen
Journalist Michael Booth picks author Hans Christian Andersen. With Michael Rosen. Presented by Matthew Parris. From 2021.
My Secret Wig
4 Extra Debut Lots of people wear wigs - in secret. Brian Kernohan explores their hidden world. Can wigs help his own hair loss? From 2017.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
3/7. A Russian double agent is operating inside the 'Circus' - if George Smiley can believe Irina's story. Stars Bernard Hepton.
BBC R4 Ex (BBC Radio 4 Extra) is a dedicated digital broadcast service offering an archive-rich lineup of speech, comedy, drama, and documentary programming. This tv guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to navigate daily broadcast schedules, explore upcoming shows, and check program details for viewers and listeners planning their day or evening entertainment.
About BBC R4 Ex
>BBC Radio 4 Extra—often referred to as BBC R4 Ex—is part of the British Broadcasting Corporation's digital audio network. Dedicated primarily to spoken-word content, the station broadcasts classic BBC radio drama, comedy productions, science fiction, readings, and historical features. Operating across digital platforms, it serves as an accessible archive destination for long-standing entertainment series and rare classic broadcasts.
Understanding the BBC R4 Ex TV Guide
Using a structured tv guide makes it straightforward to track what is currently on air and plan ahead for upcoming broadcasts. The schedule features a mix of multi-part dramatizations, episodic comedy series, and serialized book readings arranged systematically throughout the day.
Key elements available in the broadcast schedule include:
- Program Titles & Episode Details: Specific names and narrative descriptions of scheduled broadcasts.
- Broadcast Times: Exact start and end times for morning, afternoon, and evening slots.
- Genre Classifications: Indicators highlighting whether a show is drama, comedy, archive feature, or documentary.
- Repeat Times: Information on overnight or weekend rebroadcasts for missed shows.
tv guide listings for tonight on BBC R4 Ex
Checking the tv guide listings for tonight helps audiences discover evening dramatizations, late-night comedy hours, and serialized storytelling. Evening schedules are typically structured to offer extended features and continuous drama blocks, making it simple to find prime-time audio programming.
Because broadcast schedules may experience minor adjustments due to special coverage or live events, reviewing updated daily listings ensures accurate start times for tonight's planned listening.
Programming Categories & Content Focus
The channel covers a broad range of spoken-word genres curated from decades of broadcasting history:
- Radio Drama & Theatre: Full-cast adaptations of classic novels, modern plays, and mystery series.
- Comedy & Satire: Classic panel shows, stand-up showcases, and vintage sitcoms.
- Factual & Science Fiction: Archival documentaries, historical explorations, and speculative fiction.
- Readings & Poetry: Serialized book readings, short stories, and featured poetry recitals.
How to Use the Schedule Effectively
Navigating the schedule efficiently allows you to build your personal viewing or listening plan. Follow these simple steps to check upcoming broadcasts:
- Select the date you wish to inspect.
- Scan the morning, afternoon, or evening time blocks for relevant genres.
- Verify the program start time and duration.
- Check your local time zone or regional delivery provider to ensure synchronization with national broadcast times.
- Revisit the upcoming schedule regularly for changes in weekly series or special marathon broadcasts.
Viewing & Delivery Platforms
BBC R4 Ex is accessible through multiple digital channels. Viewers and listeners can access the channel via:
- DAB Digital Radio systems
- Digital television providers (such as Freeview, Freesat, Virgin Media, and Sky in available regions)
- Official digital streaming applications and web portals
Regional & Time-Zone Differences
Broadcast times listed on standard schedules reflect the primary regional transmission clock (typically GMT/BST). If you are accessing the channel via international streaming services, satellite networks, or third-party digital cable platforms, program times may shift according to your local time zone. Always check provider-specific electronic program guides (EPG) for localized timing details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BBC R4 Ex?
BBC R4 Ex (BBC Radio 4 Extra) is a digital speech-based service from the BBC broadcasting classic drama, comedy, documentaries, and archival entertainment.
Where can I check what is on BBC R4 Ex tonight?
You can check the daily online broadcast schedule or your provider's electronic program guide to see full evening and late-night listings.
Do BBC R4 Ex schedules change by region?
While the primary broadcast stream is national, local delivery times may vary based on your time zone, cable network, or digital platform provider.
Are exact program times guaranteed?
Broadcast times can occasionally shift due to special extended broadcasts or schedule adjustments. Checking the latest listings ensures you have current information.