BBC Four HD TV Guide & Listings
united kingdom
..programmes start at 7.00pm
This is BBC Four
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Canals: The Making of a Nation
5/6. Liz McIvor charts the struggles of the builders and engineers tasked with creating a landscape of canals over the rugged terrain surrounding the Pennine hills. [S] [HD]
Timothy Spall: Back at Sea
1/4. On the first leg of the trip, Timothy misreads the tides near Fishguard, visits Shane's home town of Aberystwyth and finds a lovely cove at Porthdinllaen. [S,AD]
To the Manor Born
3/6. Stately sitcom. Audrey helps Richard catalogue his antique china, only to discover one piece has been mislaid. [S]
Keeping Up Appearances
1/10. Sitcom. To the vicar's dismay, Hyacinth volunteers to befriend a group of senior citizens on a day out. But she has taken on more than she can handle. [S]
The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family
3/3. Anne makes her play for the biggest prize in the kingdom, and in doing so changes the course of British history. But the Boleyns have no idea of the high price they will have to pay. [S,AD] [HD]
The Three Kings
The incredible story of three of the most influential men in football history. [S,AD] [HD]
The Cult Next Door
The extraordinary story of a strange cult which came to light in 2013. Contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting. [S,AD] [HD]
Canals: The Making of a Nation
5/6. Liz McIvor charts the struggles of the builders and engineers tasked with creating a landscape of canals over the rugged terrain surrounding the Pennine hills. [S] [HD]
The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family
3/3. Anne makes her play for the biggest prize in the kingdom, and in doing so changes the course of British history. But the Boleyns have no idea of the high price they will have to pay. [S,AD] [HD]
Timothy Spall: Back at Sea
1/4. On the first leg of the trip, Timothy misreads the tides near Fishguard, visits Shane's home town of Aberystwyth and finds a lovely cove at Porthdinllaen. [S,AD]
The Cult Next Door
The extraordinary story of a strange cult which came to light in 2013. Contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting. [S,AD,SL] [HD]
This is BBC Four
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
..programmes start at 7.00pm
..programmes start at 7.00pm
..programmes start at 7.00pm
This is BBC Four
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Canals: The Making of a Nation
6/6. Liz McIvor recounts the story of 'canal mania', the period of activity that helped develop Britain's modern financial economy, now centred in London. [S] [HD]
Timothy Spall: Back at Sea
2/4. Timothy and Shane encounter problems with buoys when trying to dock at Liverpool, but Piel Island near Barrow-in-Furness finds them in the company of royalty. [S,AD]
The Shaman's Grave
An ancient grave: a woman, a child, circumstances of death unknown - researchers in Germany reopen an archaeological cold case from the Mesolithic period. [S] [HD]
The Human Body: Secrets of Your Life Revealed
2/3. Chris and Xand van Tulleken look at what keeps the human body alive, including reflexes, damage repair mechanisms and the immune system. [S,AD] [HD]
Middlemarch
5/6. Ladislaw vows to quit Middlemarch for good once he learns the terms of Casaubon's will. Lydgate's financial problems worsen. Fred declares his love for Mary Garth. [S]
Middlemarch
6/6. The Lydgates' marriage grows increasingly bitter with the prospect of bankruptcy. The return of Raffles sets off a train of events which change the lives of everyone. [S]
Everything Is Connected: George Eliot's Life - Arena
Contemporary artist Gillian Wearing celebrates the legacy of Victorian novelist George Eliot in an experimental film made up of a diverse cast of people. [S] [HD]
Bullets, Boots and Bandages: How to Really Win at War
2/3. Saul David looks at how generals have met the challenge of moving armies. [S] [HD]
Canals: The Making of a Nation
6/6. Liz McIvor recounts the story of 'canal mania', the period of activity that helped develop Britain's modern financial economy, now centred in London. [S] [HD]
Timothy Spall: Back at Sea
2/4. Timothy and Shane encounter problems with buoys when trying to dock at Liverpool, but Piel Island near Barrow-in-Furness finds them in the company of royalty. [S,AD]
The Human Body: Secrets of Your Life Revealed
2/3. Chris and Xand van Tulleken look at what keeps the human body alive, including reflexes, damage repair mechanisms and the immune system. [S,AD] [HD]
This is BBC Four
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
..programmes start at 7.00pm
..programmes start at 7.00pm
BBC Four HD TV Guide
BBC Four HD is a British television channel operated by the BBC, offering high-definition broadcasts with a focus on arts, culture, documentaries, music, international drama, and feature films. The BBC Four HD tv guide provides a structured overview of scheduled broadcasts, helping viewers track daily show times, discover upcoming documentaries, and stay informed about evening culture programming.
About BBC Four HD
Launched in 2002, with its high-definition channel introduced in December 2013, BBC Four HD serves as a dedicated digital platform for culturally enriched and intellectually engaging content. The channel primarily broadcasts during evening and late-night hours, sharing channel capacity during daytime hours with CBBC. It operates across the United Kingdom and is widely accessible via free-to-air digital terrestrial television, satellite, cable, and streaming platforms such as BBC iPlayer.
Understanding the BBC Four HD TV Guide
The tv guide for BBC Four HD organizes evening broadcasts into chronological order, offering clear detail on start times, program titles, and episode specifics. Because BBC Four HD focuses heavily on curated theme nights—such as Friday night music showcases or weekend international crime drama marathons—checking the guide helps viewers plan their viewing experience ahead of time.
Key information provided within the schedule includes:
- Broadcast Times: Precise start and end times for evening programming.
- Episode & Series Details: Season numbers, episode titles, and brief summaries.
- Genre Tags: Indicators for music, history, science, performance art, or foreign language drama.
- Repeat & Archive Status: Guidance on whether a program is a new premiere or an archived BBC broadcast.
Navigating BBC Four HD TV Listings
Checking the daily tv listings allows viewers to stay updated on both today's and tonight's line-up. Programming usually begins in the late afternoon or early evening and continues through to the early hours of the morning. Viewers seeking specific historical documentaries, classic music concerts, or acclaimed foreign-language drama series can search the listings to verify broadcast dates and prevent missing scheduled transmissions.
Programming Focus and Categories
BBC Four HD is known for its distinct editorial focus, distinguishing itself from mainstream commercial television. Main programming categories include:
- Arts & Performance: Opera, theater performances, classical concerts, and visual art retrospectives.
- Documentaries: In-depth explorations of history, science, humanities, and social issues.
- Music: Archival concert footage, artist retrospectives, and live performances (prominently featured on Friday evenings).
- International Drama: Acclaimed foreign-language television series, particularly Scandinavian, European, and world drama.
- Archive Television: Restored classic programming from the extensive BBC archives.
How to Use the BBC Four HD Schedule
Finding program information in the schedule involves a straightforward process:
- Select your target date (today, tonight, or an upcoming date).
- Scroll through the evening broadcast timeline.
- Review the program description to confirm episode details and narrative summaries.
- Verify your local time zone or regional platform details if accessing via satellite or regional providers.
- Check broadcast duration to plan recording or live viewing accordingly.
Viewing and Platform Information
BBC Four HD is broadcast across several UK television distribution systems. Availability across platforms generally includes:
| Platform | Distribution Method | Service Type |
|---|---|---|
| Freeview / Freesat | Digital Terrestrial & Satellite | Free-to-air |
| Cable (e.g., Virgin Media) | Digital Cable | Subscription / Basic Tier |
| Satellite (e.g., Sky) | Direct-to-Home Satellite | Subscription / Free-to-view |
| BBC iPlayer | IPTV / On-Demand Streaming | Free UK License-funded Streaming |
Regional and Schedule Variations
While BBC Four HD operates primarily as a UK-wide network with a single national schedule, minor regional listings variations or opt-outs may occasionally affect transmission schedules depending on platform distribution or national event coverage across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Programming times can vary by date, region, and provider. Check the latest listings for the most current schedule.
Evergreen vs. Time-Sensitive Schedule Information
While the overall structure, channel history, and editorial themes of BBC Four HD remain consistent over time, individual daily broadcast times change regularly. For exact transmission times, live updates, and up-to-the-minute daily schedule listings, consult the interactive TV guide updates prior to broadcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BBC Four HD TV guide?
The BBC Four HD TV guide is a detailed schedule listing the broadcast times, show descriptions, and episode information for programs airing on BBC Four HD.
What hours does BBC Four HD broadcast?
BBC Four HD typically begins broadcasting in the late afternoon or early evening (usually around 19:00) and runs through late night, sharing bandwidth with CBBC during daytime hours.
Where can I find the BBC Four HD TV schedule?
You can check the schedule on electronic program guides (EPG), online TV listing directories, television magazine schedules, and the official BBC iPlayer platform.
What type of shows air on BBC Four HD?
The channel focuses on arts documentaries, international drama series, historical programs, science specials, classical performance, and archived music concerts.
Does BBC Four HD schedule vary by region?
BBC Four HD generally broadcasts a unified UK-wide schedule, though regional transmission adjustments or special event coverage can occasionally affect local carriage.
How can I check what is on BBC Four HD tonight?
Select today's date in the TV schedule and check the evening slots starting from 19:00 onward to view tonight's complete broadcast lineup.