Does anyone listen to BBC Radio 4 - Live or Podcasts?

Mindfulness

I'm a massive fan of BBC Radio 4, particularly because they tend to give good, in-depth coverage to many subjects and use real experts when doing so.

History, Arts, Science, Philosophy, Societal and Cultural issues, Politics and Business all get great coverage and I like listening to all of these subjects. What I particularly admire about the station is that for the most part, the presenters are people who are very well qualified to write and present the content and it's pitched at a professional level, for the layperson but without patronising the intelligence of the layperson. I also like the distinct lack of shows that encourage callers to vent their spleens on air.

So do you listen? Do you have a favourite show? Do you prefer to listen by podcast? Or do you never listen? If not, why not?

catallus

The comedy is good too.

A point of view, analysis, great lives, from our own correspondent, coast and country, all great radio.

World Service and 5Live podcasts are great too.

mike65

Listen to the Today programme as RTE/NT are woeful by comparison, stuff at 9 am depending on subject and a scattering of other material but at the moment its stuff on 4 Extra like the reminiscing of Neil Innes and Michael Bentine that getting more of my time.

Loafing Oaf

Yes all the time, either live or on listen again, rarely podcasts even before I lost my ipod. Generally I like one-off or short-series documentaries best: the Media Show, Start the Week, In Our Time and Making History are probably my favourite regular shows.

twinklerunner

Mindfulness wrote: »

I'm a massive fan of BBC Radio 4, particularly because they tend to give good, in-depth coverage to many subjects and use real experts when doing so.

History, Arts, Science, Philosophy, Societal and Cultural issues, Politics and Business all get great coverage and I like listening to all of these subjects. What I particularly admire about the station is that for the most part, the presenters are people who are very well qualified to write and present the content and it's pitched at a professional level, for the layperson but without patronising the intelligence of the layperson. I also like the distinct lack of shows that encourage callers to vent their spleens on air.

So do you listen? Do you have a favourite show? Do you prefer to listen by podcast? Or do you never listen? If not, why not?

Mostly podcasts - Midweek, In Our Time, From Our Own Correspondent, Desert Island Discs, Best Of Today and Friday Night Comedy. I find RTÉ inane by comparison. Listening to R4 (or BBC in general) on a Saturday and escaping Marian, adverts, sponsored weather, etc is as refreshing as a weekend away

Lovely Bloke

Podcasts exclusively here.

In Our Time - there is also an extensive back catalogue available
Friday Night Comedy - I love The Now Show, and also The News Quiz, which alternate ont he schedule
Also the quizzes - Brain of Britain and The Round Britain Quiz

Is/Was Clue on R4 too?

CuppaCocoa

Podcasts especially The News Quiz and The Food Programme.

Bloody*Mary

Today programme, Archers podcasts, quizzes and any other stuff.

Great station.

PacMan

Love BBC Radio 4, and enjoy BBC radio 4 Extra on Satellite.

For some reason, at night time I enjoy listenning to BBC Radio 4 on LW.
Satellite provides better audio, but the "crackley" night time LW reception is my thing.
"Sailing By" sounds better that way !!

shockwave

The Infinite Monkey Cage with prof Brian Cox is a science/comedy show, one of my favs.

Lots of shows available as podcasts.

Greenman

Today,Broadcasting House,The Archers,PM,The weekly play from 19:45 to 20:00,The Now Show,Dead Ringers and lots more.

I listen on satellite at home and listen on LW in my car and truck.

Finally I really love Radio Four Extra used to be BBC Radio 7.
Check out The Men from the Ministry.:)

mike65

PacMan wrote: »

Love BBC Radio 4, and enjoy BBC radio 4 Extra on Satellite.

For some reason, at night time I enjoy listenning to BBC Radio 4 on LW.
Satellite provides better audio, but the "crackley" night time LW reception is my thing.
"Sailing By" sounds better that way !!

So true! and the cricket, usually at some unearthly hour in winter

mrsdewinter

Mostly podcasts for Mr - In Our Time and Great Lives - tho if I get too sick of Pat Kenny's 'Wow, you've got a great sound there' antics, I'll often turn over while
doing the housework.
After a lifetime of listening to RTE, I'm always amazed by BBC's depth of talent. Even a run-of-the mill weekday play will have an awesome cast, or a mid-morning 'filler' type show like In Our Time will have real experts in, I dunno, the Etruscan civilisation rather than just sending out the weekly Bat signal to Diarmuid Ferriter.
(Don't get me wrong - I love Dr Ferriter but RTE have him on *all* the time.)

blastman

Love the comedy stuff on Radio 4 and Extra (The News Quiz, The Now Show, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, etc). Being able to listen to them any time on podcast on the internet radio, while also being able to pick them up on DAB makes me very happy. I just wish the podcasts were available for longer, and there was a larger archive.

RoryMurphyJnr

Listen to 4 and 4 extra the whole time in work.
Love the old comedies and the mystery dramas

sffc

blastman wrote: »

Love the comedy stuff on Radio 4 and Extra (The News Quiz, The Now Show, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, etc). Being able to listen to them any time on podcast on the internet radio, while also being able to pick them up on DAB makes me very happy. I just wish the podcasts were available for longer, and there was a larger archive.

BBC R4 on DAB ? You must be in or near the north ?

Loved R4 since I was a teenager . "From our own Correspondent " is a great listen . Takes you to another world !

pinkypinky

Have really started listening to it a lot in the last year: mostly old stuff online - documentaries on whatever takes my fancy, etc, but also Cabin Pressure this year, other comedy stuff, Desert Island discs, the book show.

yellowlabrador

I don't think there's anything I don't like on radio 4 except the cricket. I have never had a tv because I get everything I need from radio 4. I'll only buy a radio that has LW, I do listen to podcasts if I've missed a particular program or to catch up with the Archer or I'm sorry I haven't a clue.

Technocentral

I listen to both depending on work commitments, its great for current affairs, there are some brilliant one off documentaries and regular shows like From Our Own Correspondent, The Moral Maze and the news programmes at 1 and 5, great comedy too, specifically the news Quiz, I'm Sorry I Don't Have A Clue and The Unbelievable Truth with David Mitchell from Peep Show is probably the best one.

Ava_e

Yes! love it and Radio 4 extra.

The Infinitke Money Cage
The News Quiz
The Museum of Curiosity
Desert Island Discs
The Now Show
The Unbeliveable Truth


All class shows. Never heard of him before but I listened to Garrison Keillor the other day and he was great. My ears have a lot to thank the TuneIn radio app for.

mike65

Bump for the brilliant Ed Reardon and his week.

Series 5 is starting as of this week. Episode 1 here there will be 6 editions.

Curly Judge

BBC Radio 4 kept me sane [debatable I know] for years when I peddled my wares around Dublin and the east coast.
Now living in the midlands, where reception is more intermittent, I would love to invest in a really good Long Wave receiver.
Any suggestions?

Oracle

Curly Judge wrote: »

BBC Radio 4 kept me sane [debatable I know] for years when I peddled my wares around Dublin and the east coast.
Now living in the midlands, where reception is more intermittent, I would love to invest in a really good Long Wave receiver.
Any suggestions?

Its probably not much use to you; via satellite its clear as a bell, as are the rest of BBC radio channels. You could use an internet radio although needs wifi and uses bandwidth.

I like BBC Radio 4 and 4 Extra, it's quality radio. What really suits me is its so easy to listen to while doing something else. I enjoy the dramas, comedy and stories. I like Radio 2 on Sunday afternoons too, for the easy listening line up.

mike65

Curly Judge wrote: »

BBC Radio 4 kept me sane [debatable I know] for years when I peddled my wares around Dublin and the east coast.
Now living in the midlands, where reception is more intermittent, I would love to invest in a really good Long Wave receiver.
Any suggestions?

Its not exactly bedtime listening friendly but BBC radio is on satellite of course and the interweb if you get a net radio for your bedside table (routers are cheap enough if you don't already have one.)

josh59

mike65 wrote: »

Its not exactly bedtime listening friendly but BBC radio is on satellite of course and the interweb if you get a net radio for your bedside table (routers are cheap enough if you don't already have one.)

Bought an internet radio a few years ago - BBC R 4 big favourite - Today Show in the mornings - I'd listen to John Humphries all day - you get quite a shock when you turn over to Morning Ireland on RTE and listen to the presentation quality after listening to him and his co presenters James Noughty for one.

And have to admit I've been a fan of the Archers for years - now listen mostly on podcast to that.

mike65

So true, its like two different worlds.

madmaggie

I've just come on this thread, and here was me thinking I was the only one in Ireland listening to Radio 4 LW. Delighted to see like minded people out there. :D

Onthe3rdDay

madmaggie wrote: »

I've just come on this thread, and here was me thinking I was the only one in Ireland listening to Radio 4 LW. Delighted to see like minded people out there. :D

You're not alone. BBC Radio 4 and BBC 5 Live have a lot of listeners here in Ireland. I thought it would start to die away about 10 years ago but the internet and Satellite have developed a whole new audience. There is nothing quite like being in a warm bed listening to sailing by and the shipping forecast.

IvyTheTerrible

I've just started listening online in the last few months, I'd say I listen 50/50 live and to podcasts. Some very very interesting programmes in it.

spank_inferno

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

You're not alone. BBC Radio 4 and BBC 5 Live have a lot of listeners here in Ireland. I thought it would start to die away about 10 years ago but the internet and Satellite have developed a whole new audience. There is nothing quite like being in a warm bed listening to sailing by and the shipping forecast.

We sir are kindred spirits.

The news.... Book of the week.... Sailing by ..... Shipping forecast..... God save Lizzie..... Time to sleep.

tomdempsey200

today at 6am .. I'm usually up early

podcasts when I'm out walking

5 live during the nite..it's mostly garbage at that time

spank_inferno

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

5 live during the nite..it's mostly garbage at that time

Agree on that.
5-live is pretty poor at night.
It was OK with Tony Livesy, but his replacement is poor..... Not to mention the terrible Stephen Nolan on weekends.

The evening is all about R4.
Even "Today in Parliament" is preferable.

tomdempsey200

5-live during the nite is just random waffle ....i can't sleep without noise


radio 4 is quality...the today program sets a high standard

mike65

Anyone else enjoy Ed Reardons Week? He is me (plus 10 years) on the radio basically :pac:

sudzs

Every single day and for most of the day I have BBC4 on! I'd say the only programmes I don't like are Melvin Bragg at 9am and Gardeners Question Time.
Really like Eddie Mayer at 5pm, then the 6.30 comedy and just can't miss The Archers!



...forgot to say I always listen live except for The Archers which I sometimes save up to listen back to if I'm making a heap of spag bol sauce or some such freezable dinner thingy!

madmaggie

Tuned into Shipping Forecast now, I love all those placenames. Then it's time to Shave the Queen, as my grandmother used to call the anthem.

delaad

For sure, the Midnight News, but especially when England are getting flagilated at cricket in Australia.

For a different Christmas night, why not tune in to BBC4 at 11.30pm to hear 90,000 people in the Melbourne Cricket Ground greet the first action of the 4th Test.

Believe me, it'll put hairs on the back of your neck, be the end of your hangover, or the start of a better one.

spank_inferno

delaad wrote: »

For sure, the Midnight News, but especially when England are getting flagilated at cricket in Australia.

For a different Christmas night, why not tune in to BBC4 at 11.30pm to hear 90,000 people in the Melbourne Cricket Ground greet the first action of the 4th Test.

Believe me, it'll put hairs on the back of your neck, be the end of your hangover, or the start of a better one.

You haven't heard cricket commentary until you have heard Henry Blofeld.

What a voice!

delaad

spank_inferno wrote: »

You haven't heard cricket commentary until you have heard Henry Blofeld.

What a voice!

Absolutely, and probably the only one of the team who can keep Boics in check. Either way, the onlly place to hear Blowers in full flow is BBC4 at first ball 11.30PM Christmas Night.

josh59

Serial R4 listener - got into the Archers several years ago and listen all the time now - sometimes end up with two weeks podcasts downloaded and listen in the car.

The Today programme is the benchmark that all other similar programs should follow - particularly RTE's Morning Ireland that I find is becoming tedious listening.

The comedy stuff on BBC R4 in legendary.

mike65

delaad wrote: »

For sure, the Midnight News, but especially when England are getting flagilated at cricket in Australia.

For a different Christmas night, why not tune in to BBC4 at 11.30pm to hear 90,000 people in the Melbourne Cricket Ground greet the first action of the 4th Test.

Believe me, it'll put hairs on the back of your neck, be the end of your hangover, or the start of a better one.

Hey you! :mad:

/we only let the Aussies have the Ashes back as a tease!

madmaggie

mike65 wrote: »

Hey you! :mad:

/we only let the Aussies have the Ashes back as a tease!

I was looking at the Barmy Army page on Facebook, it took them a while admit the obvious. R4 related, why was the UK theme discontinued? It was my wake-up call for many years.

Onthe3rdDay

madmaggie wrote: »

I was looking at the Barmy Army page on Facebook, it took them a while admit the obvious. R4 related, why was the UK theme discontinued? It was my wake-up call for many years.

Officially It was to extend News Briefing. However, Many believe (and I'd agree) that certain elements within the BBC found it old fashioned. They could easily have played it at 5.15am if the will was there.

They tried to get rid of Sailing By as well in the 90's but listener complaints saved it.

Alpha Dog 1

Whenever I download BBC podcasts it never allows me to play it. What's the deal there?

tomdempsey200

on a related note

how do you download podcasts on a mobile for playback later?

when I click the download links it just plays them

madmaggie

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

Officially It was to extend News Briefing. However, Many believe (and I'd agree) that certain elements within the BBC found it old fashioned. They could easily have played it at 5.15am if the will was there.

They tried to get rid of Sailing By as well in the 90's but listener complaints saved it.

Thanks for the reply, getting rid of Sailing By would make me quit R4! Just hearing the opening bars of the UK Theme makes me think,'gotta get to work, gotta get to work'. I look it up on YouTube for the memory. I agree, it could have been retained.

spank_inferno

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

on a related note

how do you download podcasts on a mobile for playback later?

when I click the download links it just plays them

Try an ap called "BeyondPod"

It seems a pretty good pod-catcher I've used to listen to BBC content.

mike65

Get it while its hot back on air!

Hamish and Dougal: You'll Have Had Your Tea

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jr5r9/microsite

Hilarious "Scottish" comedy from Graham Garden and Barry Cryer

mike65

Episode 2 now up.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b0076zx3?rpSt=hamish+tea&rpSrp=1.0

josh59

Brain of Britain now back on Radio 4 - catching up via pod-cast at the moment - happy days

mike65

1966 and All That - a satirical history of Great Britain by Craig Brown

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b0100q4y?rpSt=bbc+radio+4+extra&rpSrp=61.0