Night Waves was a radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 3. The BBC described it as "Radio 3's flagship arts and ideas programme".
The Guardian said in May 2010 "...the king of radio arts programmes is undoubtedly Night Waves, a programme so clever that it regularly makes me stand still and listen, usually halfway to the dishwasher with a plate in my hand...It's the desire to untangle arguments, to lift up their corners and see what lurks there. There's a gleeful range of references too...and a relish for intelligent debate."
It was broadcast every Monday to Thursday evening, except during the Proms season. Programmes usually included a mix of interviews, reviews, previews, discussions, commissioned writing and reports. Some episodes included a single interview with a prominent figure in the worlds of arts or ideas. A monthly edition discussed a cultural landmark.
The programme's presenters included Matthew Sweet, Philip Dodd, Rana Mitter, and Anne McElvoy.
BBC Radio 3 rebranded Night Waves as Free Thinking from 7 January 2014 and reduced the number of first-time broadcasts per week from four to three (plus one repeat).