Today 02:40 - 03:40
Lucy Worsley reveals the surprising stories behind our favourite Christmas carols. [S,AD] [HD]
TV Guide Search
106: BBC FOUR HD
Thu Dec 18
Today 03:40 - 05:30
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Today 05:30 - 18:58
Daily from 7.00pm. [HD]
Today 18:58 - 19:00
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Today 19:00 - 19:30
Cookery for the festive season, with Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright. [S]
Today 19:30 - 20:00
10/10. It's the grand final of the Christmas competition, in which teams of notable former students compete on behalf of their alma maters. Jeremy Paxman asks the questions. [S] [HD]
Today 20:00 - 21:05
Bafta and Olivier Award-winning actor Monica Dolan gives a captivating reading of Jane Austen's much-loved novel. [S] [HD]
Today 21:05 - 23:00
Romantic drama. Worried about what is to become of her five unmarried daughters, Mrs Bennet believes she may found an answer when a wealthy bachelor becomes their neighbour. [2005] [S,AD]
Today 23:00 - 00:35
In 1943, disaster strikes on the remote Hebridean island of Todday when they run out of whisky. Salvation arrives, but the islanders clash with authority. [2016] [S] [HD]
Fri Dec 19
Tomorrow 00:35 - 02:05
Moving drama about love and loss, set in the 1950s. When confirmed bachelor CS Lewis responds to a fan letter from an American woman called Joy Davidman, his life is transformed. [S]
Tomorrow 02:05 - 03:35
A Storyville documentary in which the landscapes of Norway provide the backdrop for this immersive story of a family whose lives are linked intrinsically to their environment. [S] [HD]
Tomorrow 03:35 - 05:30
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Tomorrow 05:30 - 18:58
Daily from 7.00pm. [HD]
Tomorrow 18:58 - 19:00
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Tomorrow 19:00 - 19:30
Jamie Theakston presents the pop chart programme, featuring Jay-Z, Manic Street Preachers, Bryan Adams and Melanie C, Brandy, LeAnn Rimes, Emilia, Robbie Williams and Cher. [S]
Tomorrow 19:30 - 20:00
Jayne Middlemiss presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 December 1998 and featuring The Beautiful South, Spice Girls, Honeyz, Billie Piper, REM and B*Witched. [S]
Tomorrow 20:00 - 21:00
Jayne Middlemiss, Kate Thornton and Jamie Theakston present the Top of the Pops Christmas special from 1998, featuring Spice Girls, Robbie Williams, B*Witched, Fat Les, LeAnn Rimes and Boyzone. [S]
Tomorrow 21:00 - 22:00
Mark Goodier and Anthea Turner present a Christmas Day special, including a review of the hits that topped the charts in 1990 and featuring performances by Elton John and Kylie. [S]
Tomorrow 22:00 - 22:40
Country music's biggest stars get together for a night full of festive classics, celebrating the joy of the holidays in true Nashville style. [S] [HD]
Tomorrow 22:40 - 23:40
A collection of performances from the BBC Archives that highlight the wit and intelligence of Kirsty MacColl, including such hits as A New England and Days. [S] [HD]
Tomorrow 23:40 - 00:30
Kirsty MacColl's last television concert, filmed in Glasgow in March 2000. [S]
Sat Dec 20
Saturday 00:30 - 01:30
Uncovering the stories behind The Pogues Christmas classic, Fairytale of New York. Contains very strong language. [S]
Saturday 01:30 - 02:00
Jamie Theakston presents the pop chart programme, featuring Jay-Z, Manic Street Preachers, Bryan Adams and Melanie C, Brandy, LeAnn Rimes, Emilia, Robbie Williams and Cher. [S]
Saturday 02:00 - 02:30
Jayne Middlemiss presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 18 December 1998 and featuring The Beautiful South, Spice Girls, Honeyz, Billie Piper, REM and B*Witched. [S]
Saturday 02:30 - 03:30
Jayne Middlemiss, Kate Thornton and Jamie Theakston present the Top of the Pops Christmas special from 1998, featuring Spice Girls, Robbie Williams, B*Witched, Fat Les, LeAnn Rimes and Boyzone. [S]
Saturday 03:30 - 05:30
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Saturday 05:30 - 18:58
Daily from 7.00pm. [HD]
Saturday 18:58 - 19:00
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Saturday 19:00 - 20:00
Nigel Planer narrates the story of the struggle to make programmes for children in the days before everything went digital. [S] [HD]
Saturday 20:00 - 20:15
Derek Griffiths, himself an icon of children's broadcasting, looks back on the 1970s animated series Bod, a cult classic narrated by John Le Mesurier of Dad's Army fame. [S] [HD]
Saturday 20:15 - 20:30
It's Christmas time, and Bod has a present to deliver to Aunt Flo. When heavy snow threatens to prevent the delivery, a special person lends a hand. Narrated by John Le Mesurier. [S,AD]
Saturday 20:30 - 21:30
Candid portrait of actor John Le Mesurier, from his turbulent marriage to Hattie Jacques to his life-changing role as Sergeant Wilson in Dad's Army. [S,AD]
Saturday 21:30 - 22:05
A special Christmas episode from 1976. Three oranges are to be auctioned, and Captain Mainwaring is determined to get one for his wife. [S]
Saturday 22:05 - 23:05
Rory Bremner looks back at the life and career of Mike Yarwood, master of the imitation game and one of the BBC's most successful stars of the 1970s and 80s. [S] [HD]
Saturday 23:05 - 00:25
In a Christmas special, first broadcast on 25 December 1979, Michael Parkinson talks to Peter Cook, Tommy Cooper, Dame Edna Everage and Catherine Bramwell-Booth. [S]
Sun Dec 21
Sunday 00:25 - 01:20
5/6. The gang's true motive is revealed, but Jay alienates his colleagues, and lawyer Anousha harbours a suspicion about the old killing. Contains strong language. [S] [HD]
Sunday 01:20 - 02:15
6/6. Jay gets in harm's way at a violent showdown, but Mary is even more at risk when she learns that the name of a witness has been withheld. Contains some strong language. [S] [HD]
Sunday 02:15 - 03:15
Nigel Planer narrates the story of the struggle to make programmes for children in the days before everything went digital. [S,SL] [HD]
Sunday 03:15 - 05:30
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Sunday 05:30 - 18:58
Daily from 7.00pm. [HD]
Sunday 18:58 - 19:00
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Sunday 19:00 - 20:00
Grace Dent takes a televisual trip back in time to Christmas 1985. [S,AD] [HD]
Sunday 20:00 - 21:05
A special edition for Christmas Day 1979 with surprise guests and seasonal games for the contestants and families to play at home, starring Larry Grayson and Isla St Clair. [S]
Sunday 21:05 - 21:50
Bruce Forsyth and Ronnie Corbett come together for a Christmas spectacular. With special guest star Fiona Fullerton and the Jeff Richer dancers. [S,AD]
Sunday 21:50 - 22:40
Paul Daniels presents a festive edition of his magic show. From 1987. [S]
Sunday 22:40 - 23:20
Roy Hattersley introduces us to Philip Larkin's poetry. With Judi Dench and Alan Bennett. [S]
Sunday 23:20 - 23:45
Philip Larkin talks to John Betjeman in 1964 about his life, his poetry and the city of Hull, where he lived and worked as university librarian. [S,AD]
Sunday 23:45 - 01:30
An opportunity to see Mark Gatiss's astonishing theatrical production of Dickens's classic winter ghost story, A Christmas Carol, directed for the stage by Adam Penford. [S] [HD]
Mon Dec 22
Monday 01:30 - 02:15
Bruce Forsyth and Ronnie Corbett come together for a Christmas spectacular. With special guest star Fiona Fullerton and the Jeff Richer dancers. [S,AD]
Monday 02:15 - 03:05
Paul Daniels presents a festive edition of his magic show. From 1987. [S]
Monday 03:05 - 04:05
Grace Dent takes a televisual trip back in time to Christmas 1985. [S,AD,SL] [HD]
Monday 04:05 - 05:30
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Monday 05:30 - 18:58
Daily from 7.00pm. [HD]
Monday 18:58 - 19:00
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Monday 19:00 - 20:00
Noel Edmonds presents a special Top of the Pops from 1978, with Darts, Abba, Boney M, Brotherhood of Man, Father Abraham, Bee Gees, Brian and Michael, Wings and Showaddywaddy. [S]
Monday 20:00 - 20:30
Seasonal special of the sitcom. Hyacinth decides that Richard should help distribute gifts to the old folk at the church hall dressed as Father Christmas. [S,AD]
Monday 20:30 - 21:00
6/6. Clairvoyant Madame Fontana is invited to hold a seance at the Steptoes' by Albert, who wants to get in touch with Harold's mother - as well as Henry VIII and Laurel and Hardy. [S]
Monday 21:00 - 22:00
8/8. Sitcom about a British government minister and his advisers. Rumours of a cabinet reshuffle could spell great things for Jim Hacker. [S,AD]
Monday 22:00 - 22:30
Edith Nesbit recounts the chilling tale of newlywed Victorians Jack and Laura and the legend of two marble tomb effigies who are said to rise each year and walk. [S,AD] [HD]
Monday 22:30 - 23:00
Can experiments bring the breath of life to the horrifying bag of bones, Lot No 249? Contains horror. [S,AD] [HD]
Monday 23:00 - 23:35
The inquisitive Mr Wraxhall discovers that a long-dead Swedish nobleman does not lie easy in his tomb. Contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting. [S,AD] [HD]
Monday 23:35 - 00:05
In 1923, Edward Williams receives an engraving, but the picture is not what it seems. [S,AD] [HD]
Tue Dec 23
Tuesday 00:05 - 00:45
An ancient whistle dating back to the times of the Knights Templar spells danger for the man who finds it. Classic MR James chiller adapted by Jonathan Miller. [S]
Tuesday 00:45 - 01:45
Noel Edmonds presents a special Top of the Pops from 1978, with Darts, Abba, Boney M, Brotherhood of Man, Father Abraham, Bee Gees, Brian and Michael, Wings and Showaddywaddy. [S]
Tuesday 01:45 - 02:15
Seasonal special of the sitcom. Hyacinth decides that Richard should help distribute gifts to the old folk at the church hall dressed as Father Christmas. [S,AD]
Tuesday 02:15 - 02:45
6/6. Clairvoyant Madame Fontana is invited to hold a seance at the Steptoes' by Albert, who wants to get in touch with Harold's mother - as well as Henry VIII and Laurel and Hardy. [S]
Tuesday 02:45 - 03:50
8/8. Sitcom about a British government minister and his advisers. Rumours of a cabinet reshuffle could spell great things for Jim Hacker. [S,AD]
Tuesday 03:50 - 05:30
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Tuesday 05:30 - 18:58
Daily from 7.00pm. [HD]
Tuesday 18:58 - 19:00
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Tuesday 19:00 - 20:00
The Top of the Pops Christmas Day special from 1992. Mark Franklin and Tony Dortie, together with their special guests, Sid Owen and Danniella Westbrook, review the year's chart hits. [S]
Tuesday 20:00 - 20:25
The TARDIS arrives on Earth in the midst of a new ice age, where Brittanicus Base is fighting a battle to force back the glaciers. A huge Ice Warrior is found frozen in the ice. [S,AD]
Tuesday 20:25 - 22:00
A look at the career of Innes Lloyd, one of the UK's most prolific producers of television drama, who made well over 300 individual programmes between 1966 and 1991. [S] [HD]
Tuesday 22:00 - 22:15
Michael Palin recounts the story behind his much-loved 1987 coming-of-age drama East of Ipswich. [S] [HD]
Tuesday 22:15 - 23:25
Michael Palin's nostalgic comedy about a family holiday at a Suffolk seaside resort as Richard Burrill, a 17-year-old, is reluctantly dragged to Southwold with his parents. [S]
Tuesday 23:25 - 00:35
A celebration of some of Pavarotti's finest performances from the BBC archives, capturing how he became the biggest opera star of modern times. [S] [HD]
Wed Dec 24
Wednesday 00:35 - 01:20
A compilation celebrating the artistry of one of the great sopranos of the 20th century, Jessye Norman. Featuring interviews with the star across the decades. [S] [HD]
Wednesday 01:20 - 02:20
The Top of the Pops Christmas Day special from 1992. Mark Franklin and Tony Dortie, together with their special guests, Sid Owen and Danniella Westbrook, review the year's chart hits. [S]
Wednesday 02:20 - 03:35
Michael Palin's nostalgic comedy about a family holiday at a Suffolk seaside resort as Richard Burrill, a 17-year-old, is reluctantly dragged to Southwold with his parents. [S]
Wednesday 03:35 - 04:00
The TARDIS arrives on Earth in the midst of a new ice age, where Brittanicus Base is fighting a battle to force back the glaciers. A huge Ice Warrior is found frozen in the ice. [S,AD,SL]
Wednesday 04:00 - 05:30
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Wednesday 05:30 - 18:58
Daily from 7.00pm. [HD]
Wednesday 18:58 - 19:00
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Wednesday 19:00 - 20:00
Peter Powell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 December 1986, featuring performances by Billy Ocean, The Communards, a-ha, Diana Ross and George Michael. [S]
Wednesday 20:00 - 20:20
.. Ever Decreasing Circles. Actors Peter Egan and Penelope Wilton look back on their roles as Ann and Paul in the BBC's 1980s sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles. [S] [HD]
Wednesday 20:20 - 21:40
8/8. Martin's life is turned upside down when his company announces plans to move to Oswestry. Ann falls pregnant, but Martin is too preoccupied with the thought of having to move. [S]
Wednesday 21:40 - 22:10
Seasonal special of the suburban sitcom. The Goods and the Leadbetters plan their respective Christmases, but neither go according to plan. Classic comedy from 1977. [S]
Wednesday 22:10 - 22:40
Terry's friend Malcolm receives a Christmas card from another woman, which causes a bust up between him and his wife, Beattie. [S]
Wednesday 22:40 - 23:40
The magnificent two - well, one and a half. What are they doing on Christmas Eve 1874? Contains adult humour. [S,AD]
Wednesday 23:40 - 01:10
Screen version of the classic television comedy about habitual prison inmate Norman Stanley Fletcher and his cellmate Lennie Godber. [1979] [S,AD]
Thu Dec 25
Thursday 01:10 - 02:10
Peter Powell presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 December 1986, featuring performances by Billy Ocean, The Communards, a-ha, Diana Ross and George Michael. [S]
Thursday 02:10 - 03:30
8/8. Martin's life is turned upside down when his company announces plans to move to Oswestry. Ann falls pregnant, but Martin is too preoccupied with the thought of having to move. [S]
Thursday 03:30 - 05:30
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Thursday 05:30 - 18:58
Daily from 7.00pm. [HD]
Thursday 18:58 - 19:00
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Thursday 19:00 - 20:00
The Read with Steffan Rhodri. Step into the magical world of Narnia with CS Lewis's beloved fantasy classic brimming with adventure, courage and Turkish Delight. [S] [HD]
Thursday 20:00 - 21:25
A Christmas concert full of festive favourites. The BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers perform White Christmas, The Carol of the Bells and more. Presented by Petroc Trelawny. [S] [HD]
Thursday 21:25 - 22:25
Jakki Brambles, Bruno Brookes and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 25 December 1989 and featuring Bros, The Beautiful South and Jason Donovan. [S]
Thursday 22:25 - 23:15
Noel Edmonds and David 'Kid' Jensen introduce Showaddywaddy, Hot Chocolate, Leo Sayer, Manhattan Transfer, David Soul, ABBA, Space, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers and Wings. [S]
Thursday 23:15 - 00:25
Michael Parkinson presents the John Wilson Orchestra in a celebration of festive musical treats from the golden age of swing, with special guest Curtis Stigers. [S] [HD]