BBC Four TV Guide
BBC Four dives into culture, history, arts and world cinema with thoughtful documentaries, acclaimed drama and curated film seasons. See what's on BBC Four on Wednesday 18 February 2026 with full listings and upcoming programmes.
Heads up: you're viewing listings from Wednesday 18 February 2026. Jump to today's schedule.
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Dates
BBC Four Schedule — Wed 18 Feb
Programming hasn’t started yet.
The first program is at 12:55 AM (12:55 AM UK Time )
12:55 AM
The Kenneth Williams Story: A Reputations Special — 00:55
Documentary exploring Britain's funniest and most complex comic performer, which reveals the painful, personal truths behind the brilliant facade using clips and interviews.
Runtime:
1 hr 30 min
2:25 AM
Horizon — 02:25
The story of how our solar system will be transformed by the ageing sun before coming to a spectacular end in about eight billion years.
Runtime:
1 hr
3:25 AM
This is BBC Four — 03:25
This is BBC Four
Programmes start at 7.00pm.
Runtime:
2 hr 5 min
5:30 AM
This is BBC Four — 05:30
This is BBC Four
Daily from 7.00pm.
Runtime:
13 hr 28 min
6:58 PM
This is BBC Four — 18:58
This is BBC Four
Programmes start at 7.00pm.
Runtime:
2 min
7:00 PM
Great British Railway Journeys — 19:00
Wolverhampton to Cheltenham
At the African and Caribbean Heritage Centre in Wolverhampton, Michael finds out about the impact of Enoch Powell's 1968 speech on immigration in Wolverhampton and across the nation.
Runtime:
30 min
7:30 PM
Gareth Edwards’s Great Welsh Adventure — 19:30
Episode 1
Rugby legend Gareth Edwards and wife Maureen drive a steam train through the epic Dyfi Valley before picking up speed to try rally car driving in the first of their new adventures.
Runtime:
30 min
8:00 PM
Brian Cox's Adventures in Space and Time — 20:00
What Is Time?
Brian explores the enigma of time – a phenomenon that we take for granted but which, as far as physicists are concerned, is one of the biggest mysteries in the universe.
9:00 PM
Tribe (2005) — 21:00
Akie
Documentary series with explorer Bruce Parry. Bruce spends time with the Akie people of Tanzania, one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers to live on the African savannah.
10:00 PM
Remembers... — 22:00
Derek Jacobi Remembers... Breaking the Code
Sir Derek Jacobi looks back on Breaking the Code, the acclaimed 1997 drama that saw him tackling the role of Alan Turing, the mathematical genius who cracked the Enigma code.
Runtime:
15 min
10:15 PM
Breaking the Code — 22:15
Factual drama about Alan Turing, the mathematical genius who cracked the Enigma code and turned the tide of World War II, while at the same time suffering homophobic persecution.
Runtime:
1 hr 30 min
11:45 PM
Castles: Britain's Fortified History — 23:45
Kingdom of Conquest
Sam Willis tells the story of the English ruler who left the most indelible mark on the castle, Edward I, as he turned it into an instrument of colonisation.
Runtime:
1 hr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on BBC Four tonight?
Tonight (Wednesday 18 February) on BBC Four, you can watch This is BBC Four, Great British Railway Journeys, Gareth Edwards’s Great Welsh Adventure, and Brian Cox's Adventures in Space and Time. Check the full schedule for more details.
How can I watch BBC Four live?
You can watch BBC Four live on the official bbc.co.uk website or app. Use the 'Watch Live' button to go directly to the player.
When does programming end on BBC Four today?
Today's programming on BBC Four ends at 00:45 with Castles: Britain's Fortified History.
Is this TV schedule shown in UK time or my local time?
All times shown on this page are automatically converted to your local device timezone for easy viewing, though the original UK broadcast time is also displayed.