BBC Radio 4: From the Archers to Alan Partridge
Contributing Editor
Today, the BBC is synonymous with British culture. Whether it’s the television channels that viewers tune into every day, or the radio stations that keep us company as we drive to work, the BBC plays a part in the lives of most British citizens.
The impact of the BBC is significant enough that it’s even spread overseas.
Listeners can listen to the British Broadcasting Corporation on the web – tuning into live shows, recordings, and podcasts alike.
While there are many different parts to the BBC puzzle, perhaps one of the best-known channels of all is BBC radio 4.
Though younger than BBC 1 and 2, Radio 4 has woven itself irretrievably into the fabric of the national environment. It’s easy to assume that this long-standing radio channel helped to launch the listening landscape as we know it today.
To listeners far and wide, radio 4 provides everything from our morning news updates to drama in the afternoon, and in-depth political discussion.
Here’s everything you need to know about the history of this channel, and where Radio 4 is today.
What is BBC Radio 4?
BBC Radio 4 is a crucial component of the BBC radio network. The channel broadcasts a wide selection of spoken-word programmes, rather than focusing on more common top 40 music lists.
Transmitted from the Broadcasting House for the BBC in London, Radio 4 covers drama, news, science, comedy, history, and politics.
Radio 4 is also the second most popular radio channel in the UK overall with more than 11 million daily listeners.
The Radio 4 frequency has evolved over the years. Now, you can listen to this channel in a range of different ways, including online, podcasts, and smartphone apps.
- LW: Long Wave 198
- FM: 92-95 and 103-105 FM
- DAB: BBC Radio 4, Radio 4, BBC R4
- MW: Medium Wave: London 720, Cornwall 756, Plymouth 774, Newcastle 603, Derry 720, Glasgow 720, Aberdeen 1449
- Freeview: Channel 704
- FreeSat: Channel 704
- Sky TV: Channel 0104
- Virgin TV: Channel 904
Interestingly, Radio 4 is also the national broadcaster for the UK in times of emergency, such as war. If all other radio stations were forced to shut down, we’d still be listening to Radio 4.
Discovering the Radio 4 frequency
A brief history of radio 4
Though Radio 4 may sound like the channel with the most heritage overall from the BBC. However, it’s actually one of the newer services to come from the British Broadcasting station.
Between 1939, and 1967, we only had the British Home Service, with regional variants broadcast across a medium wave network.
It wasn’t until September 30, 1967 when Radio 4 was officially born. At this time, the BBC was responding to the increasing challenges of pirate and offshore radio, by renaming some of its entertainment channels.
At first, Radio 4 held the 200Khz position of Radio 2, before eventually moving to 198 Khz.
For a time, the Radio 4 frequency was best-known for the regional news bulletins that it delivered from Mondays to Saturdays. However, the news bulletin broadcasts ended in the 1980s, and Radio 4 started to find its own voice instead.
Additionally, the launch of the new Radio 5 channel in 1990 reduced the number of educational channels and programming from the Radio 4 landscape.
Between January and March 1991, the FM broadcasts were officially replaced by a dedicated news service covering the Gulf War.
In September 1991, Radio 4 was placed officially on FM, as coverage for this signal had extended aggressively across the UK, replacing the old-fashioned long-wave solutions.
Radio 4 schedule
What to expect from radio 4
If you’re used to listening to the shows and music available on BBC One and BBC 2, then you’ll get a very different experience from Radio 4.
Radio 4 stays outside of the realms of sports and music when it comes to broadcasting – aside from brief discussions about both topics. For instance, you’ll still get a little music when listening to the BBC Radio 4 show, Desert Island Discs.
The main focus of Radio 4 is talk-based shows like drama, news, and comedy.
Radio 4 excels at witty, experiential, and alternative comedy delivered by some of the best-known comedians in the world, ranging from Alan Partridge, to David Mitchel.
The Radio 4 schedule today covers a wide variety of genres, from news and current affairs to science, arts, drama, and religion. There’s even a number of entertainment options on Radio 4 today that take the guise of a magazine-style show.
For example, You and Yours, Woman’s Hour, and From Our Own Correspondentall follow that pattern.
Of course, for many people, the most distinguishing feature of BBC Radio 4 is its commitment to long-running programs, some shows airing since the beginning.
It’s difficult to discuss this channel without talking about Radio 4 Archers.
The Archers is perhaps the most popular, and unforgettable soap opera on British radio. Launched on Radio 4 as part of the service’s selection of spoken-word programs, the Archers has been around since 1951, and it was initially billed as an “everyday story” about country folk.
Today, more than 19,000 episodes later, the show has evolved into a contemporary drama set in a rural environment. It’s not only one of the best-known features of Radio 4. The Archers is also the longest-running drama in the world.
Like many of the successful shows on BBC Radio 4, the Archers started out small. A series of 5 pilot episodes aired in 1950, and the first official episode broadcast in January 1951.
The show rapidly became one of the most significant parts of British popular culture, with over 5 million regular listeners. The Archers is also the most listened-to non-new program available on Radio 4.
The program holds the record for BBC radio online figures too.
Though various aspects of Radio 4 have changed over the years, the resounding love in the UK for the Archers has remained largely the same. In 2019, a panel of industry experts listed the Archers as the second best radio programme of all time.
What about BBC Radio 4 extra?
Though much of Radio 4’s charm comes from its commitment to historical and long-running shows, that doesn’t mean that the channel has been immune to change. As the listening landscape has continued to evolve, Radio 4 has changed with it.
Today, you can listen to the Archers from your smartphone by tuning into the web.
Additionally, there’s a BBC 4 Podcast available online too. For those who just can’t get enough of the program, there’s also the option to listen to Radio 4 Extra. Radio 4 Extra is basically everything you can expect from Radio 4, plus some extras.
You can use Radio 4 Extra as a catch-up service for various popular Radio 4 programs, like Desert Island Discs. However, the channel is also home to a variety of its own original programs too.
For instance, NewsJack, the topical sketch show, is a particularly popular option.
When the Radio 4 frequency first aired in 2002, it was launched as BBC 7. The British Broadcasting Service focused on providing Radio 7 as a place to stay up-to-date with programs from the spoken-word archive.
In 2008, the channel re-launched as Radio 4 Extra, and the channel gained popularity rapidly. In 2003, Radio 4 Extra even earned the Sony Radio Academy Award for station sound and was nominated for the “Promo” award in 2004.
Today, Radio 4 Extra exists alongside Radio 4 podcasts and other extended listening solutions to provide listeners with a mixture of archived programming and unique new experiences.
Listeners can also enjoy extended versions of some of their favorite shows, such as Desert Island Discs, the News Quiz, and The Now Show.
10 things to love about BBC Radio 4
Unlike many of the other channels delivered by the BBC, Radio 4 stands out as a place where new series and ideas are given a chance to thrive.
Some of the most popular aspects of Radio 4 include:
1. Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs stands out as one of the longest-running shows on Radio 4, and one of the most popular. It was named the greatest radio show in the world in 2019.
On this program, celebrities and influential figures from around the world are given the opportunity to bring one book, one luxury, and eight records with them to a desert island.
2. I’m Sorry, I Haven’t A Clue
This show might be little more than a series of surreal palour games, but it has still managed to thrive on the radio for more than 45 years. Introduced as the “antidote to panel games”, two teams of two comedians have fun doing silly things to do by a chairman.
3. The Pips
The Pips might not be the most entertaining thing on Radio 4 – but it’s one of the most valuable features of British radio history. The Greenwich Time Signal makes an appearance every hour, creating a familiar sound for old-fashioned listeners.
4. Gardeners’ Question Time
A very different experience from the stressful and politically-charged nature of Question Time, Gardener’s Question Time is a relaxing way to learn more about how to care for your plants, both indoors and outdoors.
5. Endless comedy shows
Did you know that the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was a series on Radio 4 before it was a book? How about the fact that The Mighty Boosh started out life on Radio 4?
This channel has been the home to everything from That Mitchell and Webb Look, to Dead Ringers, Little Britain, and Whose Line is it anyway?
6. Today
It’s hard to ignore the flagship current affairs program for Radio 4 when discussing the channel’s most unforgettable programs. Today covers countless topics in a fun and light-hearted way, while still remaining professional and confident.
7. The Archers
We already mentioned the Archers above, but the show is so significant in the lineup of Radio 4 scheduled programs, that we think it’s worth mentioning again. No matter how you feel about it, the Archers is as comforting and British as a good cup of tea.
8. Women’s Hour
Over the years, Radio 4 has come under fire a number of times for not including the right number of female presenters on the air.
However, the women’s hour has helped to overcome this problem. Women’s hour provides an excellent complement to the otherwise highly “blokey” content elsewhere on Radio 4.
9. Just A Minute
Just a Minute is one of the most fantastic shows on Radio 4, and like many other programmes, it has withstood the test of time. This series has had more than 900 episodes over more than 50 years.
In this programme, a series of Britain’s most quick-witted actors and comedians need to speak for a minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition to win points.
10. It’s a collection of national treasures
Finally, while the BBC has always had a knack for showcasing excellent presenters on its channels, from Terry Wogan on Radio 2, to John Peel on Radio 1, Radio 4’s roll-call is genuinely exceptional.
Here, you’ll find everyone from Sue Lawley to Nicolas Parsons and Eddie Mair. BBC Radio 4 offers an insight into the best of Britain.
BBC Radio 4 today
The evolution of the channel
BBC Radio 4 might not be everyone’s cup of tea – but it is one of the most significant radio channels in the UK today. Not only has this program managed to capture the hearts and minds of listeners for an entire generation, but it offers an experience unlike any other radio show available.
As the listening landscape in the UK has continued to transform and evolve, Radio 4 has managed to serve the best of both worlds.
If you listen to Radio 4, you’ll find an excellent combination of some of the most impressive shows that you knew and loved thirty years ago, as well as modern discussions too.
Indeed, despite its often old-fashioned appearance, Radio 4 was one of the first networks to understand and embrace the potential of podcasting.
Since the earliest days of podcasting, Radio 4 made its shows available for download, starting with “In Our Time” in 2004. Sixteen years on, there are countless ways to listen to Radio 4 in the comfort of your home, car, or anywhere else you choose.
Though Radio 4 has had its issues when attempting to keep up to date with the modern landscape, it has remained surprisingly durable over the years – thanks to its willingness to evolve and experiment.
At the same time, those who love the traditional experiences of Radio 4 can continue to enjoy the shows that matter most to them.
Radio Fidelity: For the love of radio.