BBC Radio 4 Extra Schedule: Today’ Show & How to Li ten

Anyone who’s ever scrolled through a radio schedule looking for something good to listen to knows the feeling: there’s plenty on, but finding the gems takes a little know-how. BBC Radio 4 Extra, the BBC’s digital archive station, makes it easy by curating classic comedy, drama, and documentaries into a 24/7 schedule that changes daily, so whether you’re after a forgotten sitcom or a gripping radio play, the station’s lineup is worth planning around.

Launched: 15 December 2002 ·
Broadcast hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ·
Platforms: DAB, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BBC Sounds

Eight facts, one pattern: nearly all the essential information about BBC Radio 4 Extra comes from two independent radio guides and the BBC’s own help pages. The table below assembles the verified details.

The pattern: BBC Radio 4 Extra is a pure digital station, differentiated from its sister by a focus on archive content rather than live talk.

What is the BBC Radio 4 Extra schedule for today?

How to find today’s schedule

The most reliable way to see today’s schedule is via BBC Sounds (official BBC streaming platform). The schedule is updated daily and shows programmes for the next seven days. On the web, go to the Radio 4 Extra page; on the mobile app, select the station and tap “Schedule”.

Third-party sites like Radio-UK (independent radio guide) also mirror the day’s lineup, but accuracy depends on how often they refresh. For this evening, Radio-UK lists the following sequence (all times UK):

• 18:00 – The Prisoner (Radio-UK)
• 19:00 – The Moth Radio Hour (Radio-UK)
• 19:50 – David Attenborough’s Life Stories (Radio-UK)
• 20:00 – Bolder: Making the Most of Our Longer Lives (Omnibus) (Radio-UK)
• 21:10 – The Listening Project (Radio-UK)
• 21:15 – Desert Island Discs Revisited (Radio-UK)
• 22:00 – Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section (Radio-UK)
• 22:30 – Cabin Pressure (Radio-UK)

What’s on now and next

If you want to know what’s playing right now, the quickest route is the BBC Sounds “Listen Live” button for Radio 4 Extra. It shows the current programme and what follows. For a broader view, the BBC Sounds schedule page displays the entire day in a familiar grid format. BBC Sounds help confirms that both web and app versions update in real time.

Why this matters: The station’s output is speech-based, so missing the start of a drama means losing context. Knowing the schedule helps you tune in at the right moment.

How can I listen to BBC Radio 4 Extra live?

Listen via BBC Sounds website

Open BBC Sounds (BBC’s digital audio platform) in any browser. Find “Radio 4 Extra” in the station list and click “Listen Live”. No sign-in is required for UK listeners. The stream is free and ad-free.

Using the BBC Sounds app

Download the BBC Sounds app on iOS or Android. Search for “Radio 4 Extra” and tap the live play button. You can also set programme reminders for upcoming shows. The app is free to use and includes catch-up for the last 30 days of broadcasts.

On DAB radio, Freeview, or satellite

BBC Radio 4 Extra is available on DAB digital radio across the UK, on Freeview channel 714, Sky channel 0132, and Virgin Media channel 908. These platforms carry the live stream 24/7, but the schedule is the same regardless of how you tune in. For details on regional DAB multiplexes, UKRadioLive (UK radio directory) notes that coverage may vary by postcode.

If you’re already familiar with how BBC digital radio works, you might also enjoy our guide to BBC Sounds Radio 2 – How to Listen, Catch Up and Find Shows.

What dramas and shows are available on BBC Radio 4 Extra?

Classic comedy series

The station’s comedy archive is its flagship draw. According to Radio-UK, the branding emphasizes “comedy, drama, entertainment, quizzes, sitcoms, panel games, satire, stand-up, life stories.” Regular repeats include Dad’s Army, Hancock’s Half Hour, The Goon Show, and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue. The schedule rotates these across weekdays, so a show that aired this morning might reappear in a few days. UKRadioLive describes the station as focusing “primarily on classic comedy, drama, and features.”

Archive drama and documentaries

Drama fans will find full-cast productions from the BBC Sound Archive spanning nearly 70 years. Recent evenings have featured dramatisations like The Prisoner and documentary series such as Bolder: Making the Most of Our Longer Lives. The station also carries readings, including David Attenborough’s Life Stories. For drama enthusiasts, our article on Sean Bean Movies and TV Shows: Iconic Roles & New BBC Drama offers related context on current BBC drama output.

Stand-up comedy specials

Stand-up sets from the Edinburgh Fringe and other BBC radio recordings air regularly. Shows like Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section and Four at the Store are mainstays. Because the schedule is built from the archive, a specific comedian’s special might return months later. BBC Sounds help advises checking the weekly schedule to catch these one-off slots.

“BBC Radio 4 Extra focuses primarily on classic comedy, drama, and features.”

— UKRadioLive (UK radio directory)

“The schedule is refreshed daily and shows programmes for the next seven days.”

— BBC Sounds help page

For anyone planning their listening around BBC Radio 4 Extra, the tool to master is BBC Sounds: the only official source for the full weekly schedule. Check it daily to catch the best of the archive, or you’ll miss that gem that aired only once.

For a complete guide to todays full BBC Radio 4 Extra schedule including precise timings and programme highlights, this resource offers a handy alternative.

Frequently asked questions