BBC Four TV Guide — Friday, 17 April 2026

Early Morning

00:50 30m

S1 · E6 · Ships and Engineering

The golden age of shipbuilding

The former steeplejack recalls the golden age of shipbuilding, examining the skills of engineers who turned Britain into one of the leading manufacturing nations, and visits Bristol to pay tribute to his personal hero Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He also travels to Scotland for a voyage on the paddle steamer Waverley

01:20 30m

Pubs, Ponds and Power: The Story of the Village

S1 · E6 · London

Ben Robinson explores the hidden villages of London

Archaeologist Ben Robinson explores the hidden villages of London. Despite many rural settlements like Hornsey and Dagenham being swallowed up by the expansion of London, Hampstead residents successfully fought to preserve their village heritage, while in recent years Londoners have created a new breed of urban villages like Crouch End and Walthamstow

01:50 1h

Dan Cruickshank and the Family That Built Gothic Britain

The changing fortunes of the Scott family of architects

Documentary exploring the changing fortunes of a family of architects, following the rise and fall of George Gilbert Scott, his son George Junior, and grandson Giles. Presenter Dan Cruickshank finds out how the dynasty was responsible for the creation of iconic landmarks such as the Midland Hotel at St Pancras station, and helped shape the Victorian age with their designs

02:50 16h 10m

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Tonight's Highlights

19:00 30m

TOTP: 1999

10/09/1999

Gail Porter presents the pop chart programme

Gail Porter presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast September 10, 1999. Including performances from Shaft, Enrique Iglesias, Shania Twain, The Offspring, and Lou Bega

19:30 30m

TOTP: 1999

17/09/1999

Emma Ledden presents the pop chart programme

Emma Ledden presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast September 17, 1999. Featuring performances from Sixpence None The Richer, Thunderbugs, The All-seeing I Feat Phil Oakey, Lyte Funky Ones, and Vengaboys

20:00 35m

TOTP: 1983

21/04/1983

Featuring Culture Club, the Human League, FR David and Twisted Sister

Richard Skinner and Janice Long introduce performances by Culture Club, the Human League, FR David, Twisted Sister, Toto, Heaven 17, Thompson Twins, Spandau Ballet and David Bowie

20:35 30m

TOTP: 1994

21/04/1994

Crash Test Dummies, the Pretenders, Erasure, Deacon Blue and Prince from April 1994

Mark Goodier presents the chart show from April 21, 1994, featuring Crash Test Dummies, Bitty McLean, CJ Lewis, the Pretenders, Erasure, Crystal Waters, Deacon Blue, Toni Di Bart and Prince

21:05 1h

Prince and His Songs at the BBC

Archive performances of songs by the musician

Archive appearances on the BBC by the musician as well as performances by artists who covered his songs over the years, including Beyonce, Muse, Tom Jones, the Bangles, Pink, Alicia Keys, Michael Kiwanuka, Chaka Khan and Sinead O'Connor

22:05 1h 20m

Prince and the Revolution: Live

A 1985 performance by the band

A 1985 performance by the American musician and his band from the Purple Rain tour at the Syracuse Carrier Dome in New York, remixed, remastered and visually enhanced. The film features hits from the popular albums Purple Rain, Controversy and 1999, including an 18-minute version of Purple Rain

23:25 1h

Prince: A Purple Reign

S1 · E2

Profile of the American musician

Profile of the American musician, who rose to fame in the 1980s with hits including 1999, Kiss and Raspberry Beret. As well as achieving significant commercial success around the world, he won critical acclaim for his adventurous, genre-blurring albums, such as Sign O' the Times and Around the World in a Day - while also making headlines for his sexually explicit lyrics and stage shows, as well as his legal battle to retain control of his name and music. Featuring contributions by guitarist Dez Dickerson, Public Enemy frontman Chuck D, soul singer Beverley Knight and Paisley Park label president Alan Leeds

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