FAQ - Radio 4
- FAQs About Radio 4 Programmes
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Q. How can I find a programme on the Radio 4 Website?
You can find a programme that has been broadcast or will be broadcast within seven days by clicking on the Programmes link at the top of every page on the site.
For programmes that are currently off-air, go to Programmes and set the filter to show "All".
If you know when a programme was broadcast, go to the Schedule link at the top of this page and browse by date and time.
Find long wave schedules here.
If you know the name of the programme, find it in the A-Z listing.
Find programmes by genres such as Comedy, Drama or News here
Q. Can you tell me more about a programme that has already been broadcast?
If you are looking for information about a programme that has already been broadcast, you may find the information you need on the programme webpage so please check before you write in. All queries will be passed on to the appropriate team who will respond where possible.
You can also write to our programmes using the following address:
Programme Name,
Radio 4,
BBC Broadcasting House,
London W1A 1AA
You can also ring BBC Information on 03700 100 400. (03700 calls cost no more than 01 and 02 geographic landline numbers and are included in discount packages for both fixed-line and mobile phones).
Q. Can you tell me when a programme is going to be scheduled?
Details of schedules are often only confirmed a short time before broadcast and we. We suggest you check regularly in the schedules on the Radio 4 site, in the A-Z listings on the site or in programmes listings guides such as The Radio Times.
Q. How can I find out the music used in a programme?
Unfortunately we are unable to supply the details of music extracts that have been included in radio programmes although some programmes include this information on their programme pages on the Radio 4 site. You can find these pages on the A-Z listings.
Q. 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 tickets site for more details.
Q. How can I comment on Radio 4 Programmes?
Feedback (Friday 13:30-14:00; Sunday 20:00-20:30) is the BBC Network Radio listeners' letters programme, produced for Radio 4 by an independent production company, presented by Roger Bolton.
Feedback's content is entirely directed by the telephone calls, letters, emails and faxes it receives from listeners.
The Radio 4 blog publishes regular features about Radio 4 and you can leave a comment on any of the posts.
If a direct contact option is not available, or to make a comment, complaint or enquiry about other BBC programmes or services, visit the BBC Information website.
You can also write to our programmes using the following address:
Programme Name,
Radio 4,
BBC Broadcasting House,
London W1A 1AA
To make a comment about other BBC programmes visit the BBC Information website.
Q. How can I get a CD or transcript of a programme?
We do not produce transcripts for most programmes. If a programme transcript is available (for example for programmes like In Touch), you can find a link to download the transcript on the programme's web page.
Some Radio 4 programmes are available to buy in CD or digital download formats. Where titles are available links to a number of online retailers will usually appear in the 'buyer's guide' section on the relevant programme's web site.
You can also try the National Sound Archive which has a wide collection of broadcast radio that may be available under the inter-library loan scheme.
Teachers are free to play radio programmes to classes - access programmes that are available to listen to on the schedule. The playing or performing of copyright works (including sound recordings) in the course of activities of educational establishments does not infringe copyright. However, the BBC's agreements with rights holders prevent us from authorising copies being made of radio programme streams for this purpose.
Otherwise, Radio 4 programmes are not available for re-broadcast, except by formal legal agreement, including payment of a fee.
Requests to licence the right to re-broadcast should be sent to BBC Radio International.
Q. 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.
Q. 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.
Q. 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.
Q. 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 GQT website.
Be warned - the waiting list is anything from 2 years upwards.
Gardeners' Question Time - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f
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.
Q. 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.
Q. Can I still listen to or download A History of the World in 100 Objects?
All the A History of the World in 100 Objects programmes will remain available to listen to or download. You can listen to the programmes on the object pages.
Or on the Programmes page - select the week's theme to find the programmes
Or download the programmes on the object pages, at this link or from iTunes.
Q. Is there a book or a CD of A Histoyr of the World in 100 Objects?
There is a book to accompany the series, written by Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum. This was published in October 2010 by Allen Lane and is available from most book retailers. ISBN - 978-1-846-14413-4.
Q. How can I comment about an object in a History of the World in 100 Objects?
Please contact the British Museum directly with any queries concerning their objects on the A History of the World website.
Q. How can I submit an idea for a programme or some music?
Generally, if it is an idea for an existing programme (such as Woman's Hour) you can email or write to the programme. If it is an idea for a new programme (e.g. comedy or drama), you can consult the BBC Commissioning Guidelines.
If you would like to submit some music you can visit the BBC Introducing web site.
Q. How do I listen to a Radio 4 programme on my computer?
You can listen to Radio 4 programmes on the Radio 4 website.
Q. I'm having problems listening online , can you help?
For technical questions, please visit the BBC iPlayer Help.
Q. How long do recordings stay on the website?
Most programmes are available for seven days after broadcast. Many of these remain on the website for much longer. Find Radio 4 programmes by visiting the schedule. To listen to a few of our archive broadcasts you may be prompted to download Realplayer, which is free of charge. BBC Webwise has more information about Realplayer.
Q. Can I download Radio 4 programmes to my ipod or mp3 player?
Many Radio 4 programmes are available as mp3 downloads, also known as podcasts. These are files which you can download onto your computer or mp3 player to keep and listen to at any time. You can find a list of Radio 4 downloads currently available on the BBC's podcast site. For more information about podcasts see podcasting help.
Q. How can I find a programme on the Radio 4 website?
You can find a programme that has been broadcast or will be broadcast within seven days by clicking on the Programmes link at the top of every page on the site.
For programmes that are currently off-air, go to Programmes and set the filter to show "All".
If you know when a programme was broadcast, but don't know what it was called, go to the Schedule link at the top of this page and browse by date and time.
Q. Why do I have to wait for programmes to appear online?
The system for making programmes available to 'listen again' online is automated. This automated system allows us to make all of our programmes available but there is a short period after broadcast, while the audio is encoded, before the programme appears online.
Programmes are normally available approximately 30 minutes after the end of transmission but occasionally it can take longer.
Q. What is Radioplayer?
Radioplayer is a partnership between the BBC and UK Commercial Radio. Together we've developed a player that gives audiences a simple and consistent online listening experience. Radioplayer allows you to discover and listen to live and on demand radio from Ofcom licensed UK radio stations.
The Radioplayer console will pop up to play audio when you click to listen live or play listen again content on BBC Radio websites. It's similar in appearance to the previous BBC console with some new features including the ability to search for live and on demand radio from stations across the UK.
Find more information about Radioplayer here.
Q. Where can I get Flash Player?
Macromedia Flash allows you to watch and listen to audio, video and interactive content on the Internet. BBC Webwise has more information about Flash player, including instruction on how to download a free Flash player plug-in.
