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 March 2026 with full listings and upcoming programmes.
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Dates
BBC Four Schedule — Wed 18 Mar
Programming hasn’t started yet.
The first program is at ( UK Time )
imagine... — 00:30
Artist Tracey Emin talks to Alan Yentob about her life, from her troubled early years in Margate to a series of breakthroughs in the 1990s.
Runtime:
1 hr 20 min
Emin/Munch: Between the Clock and the Bed — 01:50
A look at the affinities between the art of Edvard Munch and Tracey Emin, exploring the many unexpected ways that the Norwegian expressionist resonates with one of Britain’s pre-eminent artists.
Runtime:
40 min
Villages by the Sea — 02:30
Charlestown
Archaeologist Ben Robinson visits the picturesque Georgian village of Charlestown on the south west coast of Cornwall and learns how it was shaped by the vision of one man.
Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast — 03:00
Gateway to the Lakes
Julia Bradbury walks across northern England from west to east coast, beginning her adventure in appalling weather at the western extremity, St Bees Head.
This is BBC Four — 03:30
This is BBC Four
Programmes start at 7.00pm.
Runtime:
2 hr
This is BBC Four — 05:30
This is BBC Four
Daily from 7.00pm.
Runtime:
13 hr 28 min
This is BBC Four — 18:58
This is BBC Four
Programmes start at 7.00pm.
Runtime:
2 min
Villages by the Sea — 19:00
Arnside
Archaeologist Ben Robinson discovers how traditional boat building shaped the beautifully preserved village of Arnside on the banks of the River Kent in Cumbria.
Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast — 19:30
The Heart of the Lakes
Over three mountain ranges and across three valleys, the second stage of Julia Bradbury's journey is a traverse of Wainwright's much-loved Lake District.
The Birds — 20:00
Wildlife film-maker Martin Dohrn contemplates the end of his career as he turns his lens to the dramatic dance between a million seabirds and a single hunting falcon.
Runtime:
50 min
Wild — 20:50
Dancing Cranes of Sweden
As the spring sunshine melts the snow and ice on a lake which is a stop-off point for 10,000 migrating cranes, the birds start to do an unforgettable dance.
Runtime:
10 min
Secrets of Size: Atoms to Supergalaxies — 21:00
Going Small
In this mind-bending film, Jim Al-Khalili explores the universe at its smallest, from tiny insects to living cells and viruses, before finally arriving at the atom.
Runtime:
1 hr
Remembers... — 22:00
Daniela Nardini Remembers... This Life
Daniela Nardini looks back on the 1990s BBC drama series This Life, which followed the misadventures of a group of flat-sharing friends pursing careers in law.
Runtime:
20 min
This Life — 22:20
Coming Together
Drama series about five old college friends who wind up sharing a house together as young lawyers. Anna attends an interview at a well-to-do firm of solicitors.
Runtime:
40 min
This Life — 23:00
Happy Families
Anna hopes to rekindle her romance with Miles - but he is less than keen. Milly makes good career progress, but Egg struggles adjust to his job - and with living with Warren.
Runtime:
50 min
Timeshift — 23:50
The Rules of Drinking
Documentary which digs into the archive to discover the unwritten rules that have governed the way we drink in Britain, from 1940s pubs and clubs to drinking at home or at work.
Runtime:
1 hr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on BBC Four tonight?
Tonight (Wednesday 18 March) on BBC Four, you can watch This is BBC Four, Villages by the Sea, Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast, and The Birds. 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 00:50 with Timeshift.
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.