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 on BBC Sounds and through the following frequencies and channels:
- FM: 92.5–96.1 MHz, 103.5–104.9 MHz
- LW: 198 kHz
- DAB: 12B
- Freesat: 704
- Freeview: 704
- Sky: 0104
- Virgin Media: 904
The BBC Sounds mobile app is available for iOS (Apple) and Android devices.
For technical help, please consult the BBC Sounds help pages.
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 that we are restricted from distributing overseas, usually due to sports rights. If this is the case, the live service will be blocked for international audiences who 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 and DAB 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 The Netherlands) it is possible to receive Radio 4 on 198 kHz long wave.
For more information please visit the BBC Reception website for comprehensive information on both radio and TV reception.
Contact
To contact a Radio 4 programme, visit the relevant programme page for contact details. For example: Woman's Hour.
You can also write to our programmes using the following address:
Programme Name
Radio 4
BBC Broadcasting House
London W1A 1AA
Social Media
Complaints
All complaints about the BBC, our programmes and services should be submitted 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.
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.
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 programme should complete the application form on the Gardeners' Question Time website.
Be warned, the waiting list is anything from two years upwards.
To apply to host Any Questions, write to the programme at: Room 6103, Broadcasting House, London, W1A 1AA.
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.
