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 Thursday 19 March 2026 with full listings and upcoming programmes.
Heads up: you're viewing listings from Thursday 19 March 2026. Jump to today's schedule.
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Dates
BBC Four Schedule — Thu 19 Mar
Programming hasn’t started yet.
The first program is at ( UK Time )
Villages by the Sea — 00:50
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 — 01:20
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 — 01:50
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
Secrets of Size: Atoms to Supergalaxies — 02:40
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:
55 min
This is BBC Four — 03:35
This is BBC Four
Programmes start at 7.00pm.
Runtime:
1 hr 55 min
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
Alnmouth
Archaeologist Ben Robinson visits Alnmouth on England’s north east coast and discovers the village’s historical role in feeding the nation.
Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast — 19:30
Eden and the Pennines
Julia Bradbury crosses the sparse Eden Valley and passes through the bustling outpost of Kirkby Stephen, before making a boggy climb up and over the Pennines.
The Normans — 20:00
Normans of the South
Professor Robert Bartlett explores the impact of the Normans on southern Europe and the Middle East, as they spread south in the 11th century.
Runtime:
1 hr
Cabaret — 21:00
In here life is beautiful
Bob Fosse's musical set in 1930s Berlin. Cabaret singer Sally Bowles is lovestruck by a naive young Englishman amid the city's louche cafe society.
Runtime:
2 hr
New York, New York — 23:00
Start spreadin' the news!
An egotistical saxophonist and a young lounge singer meet on VJ Day and embark upon a strained and rocky romance, even as their careers begin a long, uphill climb.
Runtime:
2 hr 35 min
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on BBC Four tonight?
Tonight (Thursday 19 March) on BBC Four, you can watch This is BBC Four, Villages by the Sea, Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast, and The Normans. 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 01:35 with New York, New York.
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.