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 26 August 2026 with full listings and upcoming programmes.
Channels
BBC One (BBC1)
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ITV1
ITV1 Anglia
ITV1 Anglia West
ITV1 Border
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Channel 4+1
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DMAX+1
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E4+1
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Eden+1
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Film4+1
Food Network
Food Network+1
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GREAT! action+1
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GREAT! mystery+1
GREAT! romance
GREAT! tv
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Movies24+
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RTÉ Two+1
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STV Central+1
STV North+1
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TLC+1
True Crime
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True Crime+1
Virgin Media Four
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Virgin Media One+1
Virgin Media Three
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W+1
Yesterday+1
Dates
BBC Four Schedule — Wed 26 Aug
Programming hasn’t started yet.
The first program is at 12:55 AM (12:55 AM UK Time )
12:55 AM
The Flying Gardener — 00:55
Chris Beardshaw travels by helicopter to find Britain's most inspirational garden. She goes to South West Ireland, where exotic plants grow outside.
Runtime:
15 min
1:10 AM
The Secret Genius of Plants — 01:10
Super Strategies
Technical developments are enabling us to see the world of plants in ever greater detail, giving us insights into their remarkable abilities to adapt and survive.
2:05 AM
How the Celts Saved Britain — 02:05
Dan Snow reveals how the Irish saved Britain from cultural oblivion in the Dark Ages. He examines the demise of civilisation in Britain after the Romans left.
Runtime:
1 hr
3:05 AM
This is BBC Four — 03:05
This is BBC Four
Programmes start at 7.00pm.
Runtime:
2 hr 25 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
Villages by the Sea — 19:00
Solva
Ben Robinson discovers some of the impressive and well-preserved lime kilns in Solva, Wales, and learns how this industry helped feed a growing nation.
Runtime:
30 min
7:30 PM
Canal Boat Diaries — 19:30
Lincoln to Nottingham
Autumnal fog and an overheating engine prove to be problems for narrowboater Robbie Cumming as he navigates a Roman waterway and a tidal river.
8:00 PM
Rome: A History of the Eternal City — 20:00
Divine Gamble
Simon Sebag Montefiore charts Rome's rise to become the capital of western Christendom and its impact on the lives of its citizens, elites and high priests.
9:00 PM
Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit — 21:00
Episode 4
Mary Beard takes in the mythology, history and archaeology of Rome. In the final episode, Mary tackles the biggest puzzle of all: why, and how, did the Roman Empire fall?
10:00 PM
I, Claudius — 22:00
Hail Who?
Acclaimed historical drama. As Caligula's erratic behaviour continues, many in the Praetorian Guard come to realise that something needs to be done.
Runtime:
55 min
10:55 PM
I, Claudius — 22:55
Fool's Luck
Drama series chronicling the reigns of four Roman emperors. The mad Caligula is assassinated, and Claudius is proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard.
Runtime:
55 min
11:50 PM
The Australian Wars — 23:50
Episode 2
Film-maker Rachel Perkins examines what happened when the increasing number of arriving European colonists encroached upon the prime hunting grounds of Tasmanian Indigenous people.
Runtime:
1 hr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on BBC Four tonight?
Tonight (Wednesday 26 August) on BBC Four, you can watch This is BBC Four, Villages by the Sea, Canal Boat Diaries, and Rome: A History of the Eternal City. 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 The Australian Wars.
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.