Today 02:40 - 03:40
1/3. Documentary series. Samira Ahmed journeys to places rarely seen by western audiences to reveal how the Persian Empire was born. [S,AD,SL] [HD]
TV Guide Search
106: BBC FOUR HD
Tue Jan 20
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
1/15. Michael Portillo strikes out to explore the Britain of his youth, starting at Preston's Fulwood Barracks and heading across to Bury Bolton Street station in Greater Manchester. [S,AD] [HD]
Today 19:30 - 20:00
1/6. Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. She sets off to climb Helvellyn via the fearsome ridge of Striding Edge. [S,AD] [HD]
Today 20:00 - 20:30
2/8. Classic political sitcom. When Jim Hacker's predecessor decides to publish his memoirs, the PM tries to suppress a chapter in which he appears unfavourably. [S]
Today 20:30 - 21:00
3/8. Classic political sitcom. When Jim Hacker discovers the French are planning some dirty tricks to get political advantage, the PM turns the tables on them. [S]
Today 21:00 - 22:15
Profile of John Logie Baird, the man who invented television, concentrating on how his dedication and drive made his achievements possible, presented by his son, Malcolm. [S]
Today 22:15 - 23:45
Leslie Mitchell traces the origins of television, from the beginning of the 20th century to the first outside broadcast - the coronation of George VI in 1937. [S]
Today 23:45 - 00:45
Dan Cruickshank presents a documentary revealing the story of the Dalai Lama, his secret Himalayan kingdom and his exile, using eyewitness accounts and colour archive footage. [S]
Wed Jan 21
Tomorrow 00:45 - 01:15
1/15. Michael Portillo strikes out to explore the Britain of his youth, starting at Preston's Fulwood Barracks and heading across to Bury Bolton Street station in Greater Manchester. [S,AD] [HD]
Tomorrow 01:15 - 01:45
1/6. Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. She sets off to climb Helvellyn via the fearsome ridge of Striding Edge. [S,AD] [HD]
Tomorrow 01:45 - 03:00
Profile of John Logie Baird, the man who invented television, concentrating on how his dedication and drive made his achievements possible, presented by his son, Malcolm. [S]
Tomorrow 03:00 - 04:00
1/6. The hills of Guilin and the fishermen of the Li River form the heart of this exploration of the rice-growing cultures and strange creatures of southern China. [S,AD,SL]
Tomorrow 04:00 - 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
2/15. Michael celebrates new beginnings for the nation in the years after the Second World War. [S,AD] [HD]
Tomorrow 19:30 - 20:00
2/6. Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. She visits Derwent Water and Keswick to tackle the climb of Catbells. [S,AD] [HD]
Tomorrow 20:00 - 21:00
An attempt to prove whether there is any truth behind the legend of the Bermuda Triangle. [S,AD]
Tomorrow 21:00 - 22:00
Fiona Bruce traces the story of the love between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, meeting HRH Prince Charles and visiting the royal palaces that the couple made their own. (2010). [S,AD]
Tomorrow 22:00 - 23:00
1/6. Seminal spy drama series from 1982. Two seemingly unconnected events summon master spy George Smiley from retirement. [S]
Tomorrow 23:00 - 00:00
2/6. Seminal spy drama series from 1982. Lacon's instructions to Smiley are specific, but Vladimir had two proofs and was bringing them with him. [S]
Thu Jan 22
Thursday 00:00 - 01:00
1/3. Andrew Marr investigates detective fiction, and reveals how it works. [S,AD] [HD]
Thursday 01:00 - 01:30
2/15. Michael celebrates new beginnings for the nation in the years after the Second World War. [S,AD] [HD]
Thursday 01:30 - 02:00
2/6. Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. She visits Derwent Water and Keswick to tackle the climb of Catbells. [S,AD] [HD]
Thursday 02:00 - 03:00
Documentary recalling the life of Alfred Wainwright, the eccentric Lancastrian who created a series of iconic fell-walking books in the 1950s, and his love for the Lake District. [S]
Thursday 03:00 - 04:00
An attempt to prove whether there is any truth behind the legend of the Bermuda Triangle. [S,AD,SL]
Thursday 04:00 - 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 - 19:30
3/15. Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram delivers Michael to the former cotton town of Oldham. He heads across to Wakefield and the striking postwar sculptures of Barbara Hepworth. [S,AD] [HD]
Thursday 19:30 - 20:00
3/6. Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright. She aims to reach the summits of Crinkle Crags and Bowfell in Lakeland. [S,AD]
Thursday 20:00 - 21:00
2/2. Dr Clare Jackson reveals why so many law-abiding Scots and English were prepared to support the catholic Stuarts. [S] [HD]
Thursday 21:00 - 21:40
Terry Wogan is joined by dancer and actress Moira Shearer, choreographer Gillian Lynne, film director James Ivory, actress Hayley Mills and singer Kit Harvey. [S]
Thursday 21:40 - 22:10
ArtWorks Scotland. The life of Scotland's acclaimed ballerina, best known for the film classic The Red Shoes. [S]
Thursday 22:10 - 00:20
Drama about a young ballerina torn between two creative but possessive men - one a struggling composer, the other an autocratic impresario. [1948] [S,AD]
Fri Jan 23
Friday 00:20 - 02:20
An ambitious surgeon encounters a disfigured sideshow freak and takes him under his wing. Contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting. [1980] [S,AD] [HD]
Friday 02:20 - 03:20
2/2. Dr Clare Jackson reveals why so many law-abiding Scots and English were prepared to support the catholic Stuarts. [S,SL] [HD]
Friday 03:20 - 05:30
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Friday 05:30 - 18:58
Daily from 7.00pm. [HD]
Friday 18:58 - 19:00
Programmes start at 7.00pm. [HD]
Friday 19:00 - 19:30
Kate Thornton presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 19 February 1999 and featuring Blondie, Next of Kin, Unkle ft Ian Brown, The Moffats, Blur and Lenny Kravitz. [S]
Friday 19:30 - 20:00
Jayne Middlemiss presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 February 1999 and featuring The Corrs, NSYNC, Lauryn Hill, Lucid, Lenny Kravitz and Britney Spears. [S]
Friday 20:00 - 20:30
Peter Powell introduces the pop programme, with performances from The Look, Spandau Ballet, XTC, Adam and the Ants, Bad Manners and Blondie. [S]
Friday 20:30 - 21:00
Mark Franklin and Steve Anderson present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 23 January 1992 and featuring 2 Unlimited, Shakespears Sister, Curtis Stigers and Genesis. [S]
Friday 21:00 - 21:40
Noel Edmonds presents the pop chart programme, featuring Abba, Hot Chocolate, Brotherhood of Man, Sheer Elegance, Paul Nicholas, Linda Lewis, The Four Seasons and 10CC. [S]
Friday 21:40 - 22:20
David Hamilton presents the pop chart programme, featuring Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, Harpo, Sheer Elegance, The Rubettes, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Abba and Brotherhood of Man. [S]
Friday 22:20 - 23:55
A look at the songwriting partnership of legendary artists Carole King and James Taylor, with performances of some of their classic songs. [S] [HD]
Friday 23:55 - 00:25
Footage of the singer-songwriter performing songs including I Feel the Earth Move, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow and Up on the Roof for a BBC live studio performance in 1971. [S]
Sat Jan 24
Saturday 00:25 - 01:10
Music concert from 1971 featuring American singer-songwriter James Taylor, with a special guest appearance by Carole King. [S]
Saturday 01:10 - 02:30
Carole King's previously unseen homecoming concert in New York City's Central Park in 1973. [S] [HD]
Saturday 02:30 - 03:30
A celebration of Carole King, featuring performances from her and other great artists. [S] [HD]
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 - 19:30
1/6. Archaeologist Julian Richards visits a team working on one of the most impressive Anglo-Saxon graveyards ever discovered, on a US air force base in Suffolk. [S]
Saturday 19:30 - 19:50
Chris Beardshaw visits Hampshire to find out the best way to get summer colour into the garden. [S]
Saturday 19:50 - 20:35
Leonard Sachs presents the old-time music hall programme from the City Varieties Theatre, Leeds. Featuring Beryl Reid, Roy Castle, Lorna Dallas, Gino Donati and the Valla Bertini. [S]
Saturday 20:35 - 21:25
4/6. A letter informs Robert that his Uncle Albert has been found dead from an apparent suicide. Hetty finds the circumstances suspicious and begins to suspect witchcraft was involved. [S]
Saturday 21:25 - 22:20
3/6. With the murder victim's daughter missing, Fia is in a race against time for the truth. Contains some strong language, some violence and some upsetting scenes. [S,AD] [HD]
Saturday 22:20 - 23:10
4/6. As the past and present merge, Fia uncovers the truth behind the hidden abuse in the town. Contains some strong language, some sexual content and some upsetting sc... [S,AD] [HD]
Saturday 23:10 - 00:00
Writer and poet Maya Angelou goes on a pilgrimage to Burns Country in Scotland. Contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting. [S]
Sun Jan 25
Sunday 00:00 - 01:30
Andrew O'Hagan journeys to the places in Scotland that inspired poet Robert Burns. Contains some strong language. [S] [HD]
Sunday 01:30 - 02:00
2/8. Classic political sitcom. When Jim Hacker's predecessor decides to publish his memoirs, the PM tries to suppress a chapter in which he appears unfavourably. [S]
Sunday 02:00 - 02:30
3/8. Classic political sitcom. When Jim Hacker discovers the French are planning some dirty tricks to get political advantage, the PM turns the tables on them. [S]
Sunday 02:30 - 03:00
1/6. Archaeologist Julian Richards visits a team working on one of the most impressive Anglo-Saxon graveyards ever discovered, on a US air force base in Suffolk. [S]
Sunday 03:00 - 03:50
4/6. A letter informs Robert that his Uncle Albert has been found dead from an apparent suicide. Hetty finds the circumstances suspicious and begins to suspect witchcraft was involved. [S]
Sunday 03:50 - 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 - 21:05
Inside Classical. Sir Stephen Hough plays Grieg's Piano Concerto at a concert for the orchestra's birthday. [S] [HD]
Sunday 21:05 - 22:05
Experts from archaeologists to astrophysicists offer new insights on the Bayeux Tapestry, an artefact which, despite its fame, has remained shrouded in mystery. [S] [HD]
Sunday 22:05 - 23:50
The 1987 adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's classic play explores the hypocrisy of middle-class Victorian society. [S]
Sunday 23:50 - 00:50
From 1964, a documentary about the sixty-second year in the life of the great Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen. [S]
Mon Jan 26
Monday 00:50 - 01:55
Who is the real monster? Robert Louis Stevenson's defining gothic horror explores alter egos in this captivating narration that reimagines the 19th-century classic. [S] [HD]
Monday 01:55 - 02:55
Nicholas Crane unravels the tale of Sir Hugh Munro, whose exploration of the wild Scottish peaks little more than a century ago began a modern mountaineering obsession. [S,AD] [HD]
Monday 02:55 - 03:55
Experts from archaeologists to astrophysicists offer new insights on the Bayeux Tapestry, an artefact which, despite its fame, has remained shrouded in mystery. [S] [HD]
Monday 03:55 - 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
2/6. In China's far south west, rich jungles nestle below towering peaks. Jewel-coloured birds and ancient tribes share forested valleys where wild elephants still roam. [S,AD] [HD]
Monday 20:00 - 21:00
2/3. Samira Ahmed reveals how Iran preserved its distinctive language and culture despite the Arab conquest of Persia. [S,AD] [HD]
Monday 21:00 - 21:30
Robert Robinson hosts as Frank Muir, Jenny Agutter and Tim Rice take on Patrick Campbell, Sinead Cusak and Nigel Dempster in a game of word definitions and deceptions. [S]
Monday 21:30 - 22:00
Joseph Cooper invites viewers to test their musical wits against Camilla Jessel, Robin Ray and Edward Boyle. With guest musician Mitsuko Uchida. [S]
Monday 22:00 - 23:00
8/17. Astronaut Tim Peake's video diary of the two years leading up to his arrival at the International Space Station in December 2015. [S,AD] [HD]
Monday 23:00 - 00:30
Using dramatic reconstruction, declassified cockpit audio recorded by the astronauts themselves and film archive, this is the untold story of the first moon landing. [S,AD] [HD]
Tue Jan 27
Tuesday 00:30 - 01:10
First transmitted in 1966, Horizon reports from the spacecraft centre in Houston, Texas. [S]
Tuesday 01:10 - 01:40
Joseph Cooper invites viewers to test their musical wits against Camilla Jessel, Robin Ray and Edward Boyle. With guest musician Mitsuko Uchida. [S]
Tuesday 01:40 - 02:40
8/17. Astronaut Tim Peake's video diary of the two years leading up to his arrival at the International Space Station in December 2015. [S,AD] [HD]
Tuesday 02:40 - 03:40
2/3. Samira Ahmed reveals how Iran preserved its distinctive language and culture despite the Arab conquest of Persia. [S,AD,SL] [HD]
Tuesday 03:40 - 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 - 19:30
4/15. Starting in Wakefield, Michael visits the National Coal Mining Museum for England. [S,AD] [HD]
Tuesday 19:30 - 20:00
4/6. Julia Bradbury explores the work of fell walker Alfred Wainwright. Here she climbs Helm Crag, defined by the rock formations at its summit nicknamed the Lion and the Lamb. [S,AD]
Tuesday 20:00 - 20:30
4/8. Classic sitcom. When a scandal breaks in the City, Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey cannot agree on who should be the new governor of the Bank of England. [S]
Tuesday 20:30 - 21:00
5/8. Classic political sitcom. Jim Hacker meets a local councillor who has radical ideas about local government. The PM likes what he hears, unlike Sir Humphrey. [S]
Tuesday 21:00 - 22:00
Thomas Cromwell is revealed as a revolutionary who laid the foundations of modern Britain. [S,AD] [HD]
Tuesday 22:00 - 22:30
Sir Andrew Motion discovers an unpublished poem by Philip Larkin when he visits Hull to meet one of the poet's ex-lovers, Betty Mackereth, speaking of her love for the first time. [S]
Tuesday 22:30 - 00:25
1/2. Ken Burns recounts how the collision between two opposing views of the natural world saw the buffalo, which had numbered in the tens of millions, driven to the brink of extinction. [S] [HD]