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OU programmes on the BBC
Week Beginning:
Details are regularly updated, but can be subject to change.Saturday 7 November
01:35
BBC ONE (Northern Ireland only)
Saving Britain's Past: The Country House
This episode of the heritage series explores the decline of the country house and its fight for survival. Presenter Tom Dyckhoff visits Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire to see how its owners have saved a family home from destruction and features interviews with Sir Roy Strong and the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. (Signed Version)
Missed it? Catch up Saving Britain's Past on BBC iplayer
This episode of the heritage series explores the decline of the country house and its fight for survival. Presenter Tom Dyckhoff visits Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire to see how its owners have saved a family home from destruction and features interviews with Sir Roy Strong and the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. (Signed Version)
Missed it? Catch up Saving Britain's Past on BBC iplayer
21:30
BBC News
The Bottom Line
Cutting through confusion, statistics and spin, Evan Davis presents the view from the top of business as he meets the people who run companies to learn what's on their agenda. This programme will also be shown internationally on the BBC World news channel.
Cutting through confusion, statistics and spin, Evan Davis presents the view from the top of business as he meets the people who run companies to learn what's on their agenda. This programme will also be shown internationally on the BBC World news channel.
Sunday 8 November
18:00
BBC ONE
Life: Fish
Fish dominate the planet's waters through their astonishing variety of shape and behaviour. The beautiful weedy sea dragon looks like a creature from a fairytale. The male protects their eggs by carrying them on his tail for months. The sarcastic fringehead appears to turn its head inside out when it fights. Slow motion cameras show the flying fish gliding through the air like a flock of birds and capture the world's fastest swimmer, the sailfish, plucking sardines from a shoal at 100 mph. The tiny Hawaiian goby undertakes one of nature's most daunting journeys, climbing a massive waterfall to find safe pools for breeding. Followed by Life on Location - Fish out of Water.
Fish dominate the planet's waters through their astonishing variety of shape and behaviour. The beautiful weedy sea dragon looks like a creature from a fairytale. The male protects their eggs by carrying them on his tail for months. The sarcastic fringehead appears to turn its head inside out when it fights. Slow motion cameras show the flying fish gliding through the air like a flock of birds and capture the world's fastest swimmer, the sailfish, plucking sardines from a shoal at 100 mph. The tiny Hawaiian goby undertakes one of nature's most daunting journeys, climbing a massive waterfall to find safe pools for breeding. Followed by Life on Location - Fish out of Water.
19:00
BBC FOUR
A History of Christianity: The First Christianity
Today Christianity is seen as a Western faith. Indeed, many in the Muslim world would see 'Western' lifestyles as 'Christian' lifestyles. But in this, the first programme in a new landmark series, Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch sets out to overturn preconceptions about early Christianity. Beginning in Jerusalem he goes in search of the Christian faith’s forgotten origins in the ancient churches of the East. Strands flourished in Ethiopia, Egypt and India, but the programme homes in on the story of two strands to illustrate the riches of them all – the story of the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Church of the East. Beautiful photography captures his journey as far as China in search of churches that once seemed set to be the main future of Christianity - the headquarters may have been Baghdad rather than Rome.
Today Christianity is seen as a Western faith. Indeed, many in the Muslim world would see 'Western' lifestyles as 'Christian' lifestyles. But in this, the first programme in a new landmark series, Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch sets out to overturn preconceptions about early Christianity. Beginning in Jerusalem he goes in search of the Christian faith’s forgotten origins in the ancient churches of the East. Strands flourished in Ethiopia, Egypt and India, but the programme homes in on the story of two strands to illustrate the riches of them all – the story of the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Church of the East. Beautiful photography captures his journey as far as China in search of churches that once seemed set to be the main future of Christianity - the headquarters may have been Baghdad rather than Rome.
21:00
BBC ONE (Scotland only)
A History of Scotland: God's Chosen People
Neil Oliver continues his journey through Scotland’s history with the story of the Covenanters, whose profound religious beliefs were declared in the National Covenant of 1638. This document licensed revolution, started the Civil War that cost King Charles I his head, cost tens of thousands of Scots their lives and led to Britain’s first war on terror.
Neil Oliver continues his journey through Scotland’s history with the story of the Covenanters, whose profound religious beliefs were declared in the National Covenant of 1638. This document licensed revolution, started the Civil War that cost King Charles I his head, cost tens of thousands of Scots their lives and led to Britain’s first war on terror.
Monday 9 November
00:15
BBC Radio 4
Thinking Allowed
The first of three special editions of the magazine programme in which presenter Laurie Taylor examines research into white collar crime in Britain.
The first of three special editions of the magazine programme in which presenter Laurie Taylor examines research into white collar crime in Britain.
21:00
BBC ONE (not Northern Ireland)
Life: Birds
Birds owe their global success to feathers - something no other animal has. They allow birds to do extraordinary things. For the first time a slow-motion camera captures the unique flight of the Marvellous Spatuletail Hummingbird as he flashes long, iridescent tail feathers in the gloomy undergrowth. Aerial photography takes us into the sky with an Ethiopian Lammergeyer dropping bones to smash them into edible-sized bits. Thousands of pink flamingoes promenade in one of nature's greatest spectacles. The Sage Grouse rubs his feathers against his chest in a comic display to make popping noses that attract females. The Vogelkop Bowerbird makes up for his dull colour by building an intricate structure and decorating it with colourful beetles and snails. Followed by Life on Location - Hide and Seek.
Birds owe their global success to feathers - something no other animal has. They allow birds to do extraordinary things. For the first time a slow-motion camera captures the unique flight of the Marvellous Spatuletail Hummingbird as he flashes long, iridescent tail feathers in the gloomy undergrowth. Aerial photography takes us into the sky with an Ethiopian Lammergeyer dropping bones to smash them into edible-sized bits. Thousands of pink flamingoes promenade in one of nature's greatest spectacles. The Sage Grouse rubs his feathers against his chest in a comic display to make popping noses that attract females. The Vogelkop Bowerbird makes up for his dull colour by building an intricate structure and decorating it with colourful beetles and snails. Followed by Life on Location - Hide and Seek.
22:55
BBC FOUR
Sacred Music: The Gothic Revolution
First of four programmes in which actor and former chorister Simon Russell Beale explores the flowering of Western sacred music. He begins at St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London, where he spent many years as a boy chorister. From here he travels to Paris to discover how plainsong (chant) became polyphony (music of 'many voices') at the close of the twelfth century. Simon discovers how, as the vast new edifice of the Cathedral of Notre Dame began to tower over the medieval city, the most famous of all medieval music manuscripts - the "Magnus Liber" or "Great Book" of Notre Dame - was also taking shape. The early two part compositions it contained, such as the setting of the psalm 'Viderunt Omnes' by Léonin, were preserved in some of the earliest clear musical notation, and represent the birth of harmony in Western music-making.
First of four programmes in which actor and former chorister Simon Russell Beale explores the flowering of Western sacred music. He begins at St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London, where he spent many years as a boy chorister. From here he travels to Paris to discover how plainsong (chant) became polyphony (music of 'many voices') at the close of the twelfth century. Simon discovers how, as the vast new edifice of the Cathedral of Notre Dame began to tower over the medieval city, the most famous of all medieval music manuscripts - the "Magnus Liber" or "Great Book" of Notre Dame - was also taking shape. The early two part compositions it contained, such as the setting of the psalm 'Viderunt Omnes' by Léonin, were preserved in some of the earliest clear musical notation, and represent the birth of harmony in Western music-making.
23:55
BBC FOUR
Sacred Music: Palestrina and the Popes
Simon Russell Beale continues his exploration of Western sacred music. He uncovers the links between the papal intrigues of Renaissance Rome and the music of the enigmatic Palestrina, "The Prince of Music". Palestrina's work is considered by many to be unsurpassed in its spiritual perfection, but running underneath it is the turbulent story of the counter-reformation, which would have a dramatic impact on the composer's life and music. The glorious architecture and art of the High Renaissance complete a compelling picture of this golden age of sacred music.
Simon Russell Beale continues his exploration of Western sacred music. He uncovers the links between the papal intrigues of Renaissance Rome and the music of the enigmatic Palestrina, "The Prince of Music". Palestrina's work is considered by many to be unsurpassed in its spiritual perfection, but running underneath it is the turbulent story of the counter-reformation, which would have a dramatic impact on the composer's life and music. The glorious architecture and art of the High Renaissance complete a compelling picture of this golden age of sacred music.
Tuesday 10 November
00:55
BBC FOUR
Sacred Music: Tallis, Byrd and the Tudors
Simon Russell Beale discovers the effect of Henry VIII's break with the Pope and the subsequent tumultuous history of the founding of the Protestant Church in England through the careers of two professional church musicians who were also superlative choral composers. Simon hunts through documents and manuscripts to bring to light revealing glimpses into both their craft as composers and the personal dilemmas of their faith. As members of the Monarch's own personal choir – the Chapel Royal – they were both close to the heart of state politics yet both retained strong, and sometimes open, Catholic sympathies at a time when it was dangerous to do so.
Simon Russell Beale discovers the effect of Henry VIII's break with the Pope and the subsequent tumultuous history of the founding of the Protestant Church in England through the careers of two professional church musicians who were also superlative choral composers. Simon hunts through documents and manuscripts to bring to light revealing glimpses into both their craft as composers and the personal dilemmas of their faith. As members of the Monarch's own personal choir – the Chapel Royal – they were both close to the heart of state politics yet both retained strong, and sometimes open, Catholic sympathies at a time when it was dangerous to do so.
01:25
BBC ONE (Wales only)
Saving Britain's Past: The Country House
This episode of the heritage series explores the decline of the country house and its fight for survival. Presenter Tom Dyckhoff visits Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire to see how its owners have saved a family home from destruction and features interviews with Sir Roy Strong and the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. (Signed Version)
This episode of the heritage series explores the decline of the country house and its fight for survival. Presenter Tom Dyckhoff visits Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire to see how its owners have saved a family home from destruction and features interviews with Sir Roy Strong and the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. (Signed Version)
01:55
BBC FOUR
Sacred Music: Bach and the Lutheran Legacy
Simon Russell Beale's travels end in Germany where Luther's Protestant Reformation led to a musical revolution and ultimately to the glorious works of Johann Sebastian Bach. He discovers how Martin Luther, himself a composer, had a profound effect on the development of sacred music, re-defining the role of congregational singing and the use of the organ in services as well as developing the hugely important tradition of singing in the vernacular. In the city of Leipzig, Simon discovers how these reforms – and the century and a half of music that followed – shaped the world of Bach and inspired him to write some of the greatest works in the history of sacred music.
Simon Russell Beale's travels end in Germany where Luther's Protestant Reformation led to a musical revolution and ultimately to the glorious works of Johann Sebastian Bach. He discovers how Martin Luther, himself a composer, had a profound effect on the development of sacred music, re-defining the role of congregational singing and the use of the organ in services as well as developing the hugely important tradition of singing in the vernacular. In the city of Leipzig, Simon discovers how these reforms – and the century and a half of music that followed – shaped the world of Bach and inspired him to write some of the greatest works in the history of sacred music.
19:00
BBC TWO (England & Scotland only)
Coast: France - Cap Gris Nez to Mont Saint Michel
The team follow the shoreline of Northern France to discover the surprisingly close connections to our neighbours across the English channel. On Cap Gris Nez ('The Grey Nose'), the closest point between Britain and France, Neil Oliver explores the hidden remains of a fortress built by Henry VIII in a desperate attempt to keep an English toe-hold on French soil. Dick Strawbridge unearths the story behind the ultra-secret map that stopped the D-Day landings sinking into the sands of Normandy. Miranda Krestovnikoff has a close encounter with the bats that have set up home in bunkers abandoned by the German army. Mark Horton discovers how William the Conqueror taught the English the art of constructing castles, and why William looked to Normandy for the stone to build the Tower of London. Amateur artist Alice Roberts packs her paints for a lesson in how to become an instant impressionist; she tries to capture the spectacular chalk cliffs at Etretat on canvas, using the impressionist style pioneered by Claude Monet on this stretch of the French coast. Nick Crane explores the white cliffs of France and finds evidence for the catastrophic 'mega flood' that separated Britain from the continent half a million years ago. Finally, Dick Strawbridge learns how a revolutionary lens, invented by Normandy-born Augustin Fresnel, is now used the world over because it made lighthouses brighter and lighter.
The team follow the shoreline of Northern France to discover the surprisingly close connections to our neighbours across the English channel. On Cap Gris Nez ('The Grey Nose'), the closest point between Britain and France, Neil Oliver explores the hidden remains of a fortress built by Henry VIII in a desperate attempt to keep an English toe-hold on French soil. Dick Strawbridge unearths the story behind the ultra-secret map that stopped the D-Day landings sinking into the sands of Normandy. Miranda Krestovnikoff has a close encounter with the bats that have set up home in bunkers abandoned by the German army. Mark Horton discovers how William the Conqueror taught the English the art of constructing castles, and why William looked to Normandy for the stone to build the Tower of London. Amateur artist Alice Roberts packs her paints for a lesson in how to become an instant impressionist; she tries to capture the spectacular chalk cliffs at Etretat on canvas, using the impressionist style pioneered by Claude Monet on this stretch of the French coast. Nick Crane explores the white cliffs of France and finds evidence for the catastrophic 'mega flood' that separated Britain from the continent half a million years ago. Finally, Dick Strawbridge learns how a revolutionary lens, invented by Normandy-born Augustin Fresnel, is now used the world over because it made lighthouses brighter and lighter.
Wednesday 11 November
00:45
BBC ONE (Northern Ireland only)
Life: Mammals
Mammals dominate the planet. They do it through having warm blood and by the care they lavish on their young. Weeks of filming in the bitter Antarctic winter reveal how a mother Weddell seal wears her teeth down keeping open a hole in the ice so she can catch fish for her pup. A powered hot air balloon produced stunning images of millions of migrating bats as they converge on fruiting trees in Zambia. Slow motion cameras reveal how a mother Rufous Sengi shrew exhausts a chasing lizard. A gyroscopically stabilised camera moves alongside migrating caribou and a diving team swim among the planet's biggest fight as male humpback whales battle for a female. Followed by Life on Location - The Heat Run. (Signed Version)
Mammals dominate the planet. They do it through having warm blood and by the care they lavish on their young. Weeks of filming in the bitter Antarctic winter reveal how a mother Weddell seal wears her teeth down keeping open a hole in the ice so she can catch fish for her pup. A powered hot air balloon produced stunning images of millions of migrating bats as they converge on fruiting trees in Zambia. Slow motion cameras reveal how a mother Rufous Sengi shrew exhausts a chasing lizard. A gyroscopically stabilised camera moves alongside migrating caribou and a diving team swim among the planet's biggest fight as male humpback whales battle for a female. Followed by Life on Location - The Heat Run. (Signed Version)
01:15
BBC ONE (England & Scotland only)
Saving Britain's Past: The Market
The heritage series tells the story of the battle for Covent Garden market and how its residents and workers took on the planners and won. For the first time in over forty years, we hear from the main protagonists in the Covent Garden story, all still passionate to put their side of the story. (Signed Version)
The heritage series tells the story of the battle for Covent Garden market and how its residents and workers took on the planners and won. For the first time in over forty years, we hear from the main protagonists in the Covent Garden story, all still passionate to put their side of the story. (Signed Version)
16:00
BBC Radio 4
Thinking Allowed
The second of three special editions of the magazine programme in which presenter Laurie Taylor examines research into white collar crime in Britain. This week he asks why white collar crime is treated more leniently than other types of offence.
The second of three special editions of the magazine programme in which presenter Laurie Taylor examines research into white collar crime in Britain. This week he asks why white collar crime is treated more leniently than other types of offence.
Thursday 12 November
21:00
BBC FOUR
A History of Christianity: Catholicism - The Unpredictable Rise of Rome
In his second journey into the history of Christianity, Diarmaid MacCulloch explores the history of the Church which calls itself Catholic. How did a small Jewish sect from 1st century Palestine, which preached humility and the virtue of poverty, become the established religion of Western Europe, wealthy, powerful and expecting unfailing obedience from the faithful? In this episode Diarmaid MacCulloch tells the story of what can be achieved when you have friends in high places.
In his second journey into the history of Christianity, Diarmaid MacCulloch explores the history of the Church which calls itself Catholic. How did a small Jewish sect from 1st century Palestine, which preached humility and the virtue of poverty, become the established religion of Western Europe, wealthy, powerful and expecting unfailing obedience from the faithful? In this episode Diarmaid MacCulloch tells the story of what can be achieved when you have friends in high places.
Friday 13 November
00:55
BBC FOUR
A History of Christianity: Catholicism - The Unpredictable Rise of Rome
(As shown on Thursday)
(As shown on Thursday)
01:05
BBC ONE (England & Scotland only)
Life: Fish
Fish dominate the planet's waters through their astonishing variety of shape and behaviour. The beautiful weedy sea dragon looks like a creature from a fairytale. The male protects their eggs by carrying them on his tail for months. The sarcastic fringehead appears to turn its head inside out when it fights. Slow motion cameras show the flying fish gliding through the air like a flock of birds and capture the world's fastest swimmer, the sailfish, plucking sardines from a shoal at 100 mph. The tiny Hawaiian goby undertakes one of nature's most daunting journeys, climbing a massive waterfall to find safe pools for breeding. Followed by Life on Location - Fish out of Water. (Signed Version)
Fish dominate the planet's waters through their astonishing variety of shape and behaviour. The beautiful weedy sea dragon looks like a creature from a fairytale. The male protects their eggs by carrying them on his tail for months. The sarcastic fringehead appears to turn its head inside out when it fights. Slow motion cameras show the flying fish gliding through the air like a flock of birds and capture the world's fastest swimmer, the sailfish, plucking sardines from a shoal at 100 mph. The tiny Hawaiian goby undertakes one of nature's most daunting journeys, climbing a massive waterfall to find safe pools for breeding. Followed by Life on Location - Fish out of Water. (Signed Version)
02:55
BBC FOUR
A History of Christianity: Catholicism - The Unpredictable Rise of Rome
(As shown on Thursday - Signed Version)
(As shown on Thursday - Signed Version)