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TV Guide Radio Times – Tonight’s UK TV Listings

George Jack Carter • 2026-04-05 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Tonight’s UK television landscape offers a curated mix of drama, documentaries, and classic films across Freeview and Freesat platforms. Viewers navigating the 5 PM to 11 PM window rely on established listings providers to locate prime-time programming amid hundreds of available channels.

Radio Times maintains its position as the definitive source for broadcast schedules, offering detailed grids for BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 alongside editorial selections marked by distinctive icons. Digital platforms now supplement traditional print guides, providing real-time updates for regional variations including Glasgow-specific schedules.

Best TV Tonight UK: Radio Times Picks

Radio Times Highlights

Curated selections including films like The Imitation Game and documentaries such as Burma with Simon Reeve.

Top Channels

BBC One, ITV, and Channel 4 dominate evening ratings with news, soaps, and flagship entertainment.

Freeview Schedule

Accessible via aerial transmission, offering comprehensive coverage without subscription fees.

Best Picks by Genre

From The Chase quiz format to Gogglebox reality segments and live snooker sports coverage.

Key Insights

  • Radio Times operates as the primary UK television listings authority, updating daily.
  • Freeview and Freesat provide subscription-free access to all listed channels.
  • Regional schedules vary for Glasgow viewers through BBC Scotland and ITV Border.
  • Prime-time films air consistently at 9 PM across major channels.
  • Live programming including news and sports requires real-time verification.
  • Mobile applications now replicate full grid functionality previously limited to print.
  • Soap operas maintain fixed slots: Emmerdale at 6:45 PM and 7:45 PM, Coronation Street at 7 PM and 8 PM.
Platform Coverage Update Frequency Free Access
Radio Times All UK channels Daily Yes
Freeview BBC, ITV, C4, C5 Real-time Yes
TVGuide.co.uk Freeview/Freesat/Sky Hourly Yes
BBC Schedules BBC One/Two only Daily Yes
ITV Hub ITV network Daily Yes
MyTelly.co.uk Multi-provider Real-time Yes
What to Watch Major channels Daily Yes
The Times Premium listings Daily Paywall

Radio Times TV Guide and Listings

Digital Listings and Best Picks

The Radio Times website provides comprehensive grids covering BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5. Editorial teams highlight standout programming using the black-and-white “RT” emblem, identifying films such as The Imitation Game and documentaries like Burma with Simon Reeve. The platform categorises content by genre and time slot, facilitating navigation through the evening schedule from 5 PM onward.

Editorial Selection

Radio Times marks its recommended programmes with a distinctive “RT” icon. These selections typically include high-profile documentaries, feature films airing after 9 PM, and special celebrity editions of regular series such as The Great Celebrity Bake Off, as featured in the What to Watch section.

Regional Variations

Scottish viewers, particularly those in Glasgow, access localised listings through the Radio Times platform. BBC Scotland operates on a distinct schedule from the network feed, airing regional news and specific documentaries. ITV Border and ITV Granada serve different parts of Scotland, requiring viewers to select their precise region for accurate Strictly Come Dancing Time Tonight and soap opera timing.

ITV, BBC and Channel 4 TV Guides Today

BBC One Tonight

BBC One’s Sunday evening schedule includes factual programming such as Big Cats 24/7 at 6 PM, followed by Burma with Simon Reeve at 7 PM. The 9 PM slot features The Imitation Game, while Being There screens at 10 PM. Local news inserts appear at 5 PM with weather updates.

ITV Schedule

ITV begins prime-time with The Chase at 5:35 PM, followed by national and regional news bulletins. Soap operas dominate the 6:45 PM to 8 PM window with double episodes of Emmerdale and Coronation Street. Drama series Grace airs at 8:30 PM, concluding with feature films including Hot Fuzz after 10 PM.

Channel 4 Programming

What to Watch highlights Channel 4’s opening with news at 5:10 PM, transitioning to live snooker coverage at 6:25 PM. Entertainment programming includes The Great Celebrity Bake Off at 7:10 PM and Sarah Millican: Late Bloomer at 8:40 PM. The channel concludes its evening with The Hunt: Prey vs Predator at 9 PM and Gogglebox at 10 PM.

Freeview and Freesat TV Schedules

Freeview Access

Freeview provides terrestrial access to all listed channels without subscription. The official Freeview TV guide displays hourly schedules for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, alongside on-demand catch-up options for recently aired content. Users can filter listings by time or genre.

Regional Configuration

Glasgow residents must configure their postcode settings on TVGuide.co.uk or MyTelly.co.uk to receive accurate BBC Scotland and ITV Border timings. Default national listings may display incorrect regional news slots.

Freesat Options

Freesat delivers identical channel lineups via satellite transmission, beneficial for areas with poor aerial reception. The platform offers electronic programme guide (EPG) functionality matching Freeview’s grid, including high-definition variants of major channels.

Schedule Variability

Live sporting events, including FA Cup matches and snooker tournaments, may cause schedule overruns. Viewers should verify final broadcast times through official channel applications if recording programmes.

Tonight’s TV Timeline: 5 PM to 11 PM

  1. : BBC One local news and weather; Channel 4 News; ITV News at 5:30 PM.
  2. : ITV broadcasts The Chase quiz programme.
  3. : BBC One screens Big Cats 24/7; Channel 4 airs live snooker at 6:25 PM; Channel 5 presents When Motorways Go Horribly Wrong at 6:30 PM.
  4. : ITV broadcasts first Emmerdale episode.
  5. : BBC One features Burma with Simon Reeve at 7 PM; ITV airs Coronation Street at 7 PM before second Emmerdale at 7:45 PM.
  6. : Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island on BBC One; The Great Celebrity Bake Off on Channel 4 at 7:10 PM continues; ITV screens drama Grace at 8:30 PM.
  7. : Film premieres dominate: The Imitation Game (BBC One), The Hunt: Prey vs Predator (Channel 4). ITV concludes Grace.
  8. : Late films including Being There (BBC One) and Hot Fuzz (ITV); Gogglebox on Channel 4; Fare Dodgers on Channel 5.

What Listings Confirm and What Remains Variable

Established Information

  • BBC One schedules The Imitation Game at 9 PM.
  • ITV News broadcasts at fixed times: 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM.
  • Emmerdale airs twice nightly at 6:45 PM and 7:45 PM.
  • Channel 4’s Gogglebox occupies the 10 PM slot.
  • Radio Times updates listings daily before 6 AM.

Information That Remains Unclear

  • Exact running times for live snooker coverage affecting subsequent programmes.
  • Scotland-specific schedule deviations for BBC Two.
  • Last-minute substitutions for regional news content.
  • Extended broadcast durations for FA Cup matches.
  • On-demand availability windows for tonight’s films.

The Role of TV Guides in 2025

Despite streaming proliferation, linear television maintains significant viewership for live events, news bulletins, and scheduled premieres. TV guides facilitate discovery of curated content across disparate platforms, aggregating schedules for viewers without subscription services. Radio Times and digital alternatives like TVGuide.co.uk bridge the gap between traditional broadcast and on-demand consumption, offering editorial context unavailable in electronic programme guides.

Mobile applications now replicate full grid functionality, with the UK TV Guide iOS app providing listings for over 450 channels. These digital tools enable remote scheduling and reminder functions, extending utility beyond simple time-checking.

Verified Sources and Editorial Standards

Information regarding tonight’s schedules derives from official broadcaster data and established listings publications. Radio Times operates as the primary editorial authority, while TVGuide.co.uk provides technical grid infrastructure. Freeview and Freesat maintain official programme databases updated in real-time.

Regional specificity for Glasgow relies on separate data streams from BBC Scotland and ITV Border, distinct from network feeds. Viewers should consult multiple sources during live sporting events when schedules become fluid.

Planning Your Evening Viewing

Navigating tonight’s television options requires consulting authoritative listings to account for regional variations and live programming adjustments. Whether accessing The Imitation Game on BBC One or tracking Grace on ITV, verified guides ensure accurate timing across Freeview and Freesat platforms.

For information on streaming series and cast details beyond tonight’s broadcast schedule, viewers can reference the Cast of Manifest TV Series and related programming databases.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the TV guide for Freeview?

Visit the official Freeview website or use the Freeview mobile application. Both provide searchable grids for all Freeview channels updated in real-time.

Where can I find Glasgow-specific TV listings?

Configure your region to Scotland/Glasgow on TVGuide.co.uk or MyTelly.co.uk. This displays BBC Scotland and ITV Border schedules rather than network programming.

Is the Radio Times TV guide free to use online?

Yes. Radio Times provides free access to daily television listings through its website, though print editions require purchase.

What time does ITV News broadcast tonight?

ITV Evening News airs at 5:30 PM followed by a late bulletin at 6:30 PM. Regional news follows immediately after each national broadcast.

How accurate are online TV schedules?

Schedules for pre-recorded content remain highly accurate. Live events including sports may cause delays. Verify final times through channel-specific apps.

Does Freesat offer different listings from Freeview?

Freesat provides identical channel lineups and timings to Freeview, though signal reception differs. Both use the same programme schedules.

What is the “RT” emblem on Radio Times listings?

The RT emblem marks editor-selected recommendations, highlighting standout films, documentaries, and entertainment programmes worth prioritising.

George Jack Carter

About the author

George Jack Carter

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.