The story of the year Janet Street-Porter spent at Live TV, where her task was to make 24-hour live television at a fraction of normal costs. As the station nears its launch, new technology fails to work, pressures on the staff mount and tensions rise.
Series following six high-powered bosses in their first year at the top of a new business. This programme features the return of Freddie Laker, whose Skytrain airline went bust in 1982. With only 12 weeks to go until the launch of his new airline, he has no crew, catering or uniforms and his planes are still being refitted.
Gerald and Vera Weisfeld sold their chain of cut-price shops for £50m but then decided to gamble their money and reputations to launch a new kind of department store in Scotland. Shows the efforts in the run-up to the store's open
Jonathan Heynes, formerly of Jaguar, arrives to rebuild Reliant, maker of the Robin three-wheeler, a company that has gone bankrupt three times in five years. Heynes believes he can succeed, even with an ageing product and an outd
Champneys is one of Britain's most famous health resorts, a £350 a night haunt of the rich and famous. But behind the scenes Champneys is in big trouble, losing a million pounds a year. New boss Lord Thurso arrives to try to save the company. He finds too many managers, shabby rooms, and unhappy customers. By the time he's through, Thurso is three stone lighter- but how has Champney's shaped up?
Derek Jones has an ambition: to turn the ailing spectacle company Swan Optical into a multi-million pound sunglasses empire. When he wins a crucial order for several thousand pairs from a department store, the future looks rose-tinted and he is determined to meet it. But as the company team work on the order, they start to wonder if they have overstretched themselves
A year ago "Nightmare at Canary Wharf" followed Janet Street- Porter's struggle to set up a new cable station, "Live TV". But after former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie appeared on scene, Street-Porter ended up moving out. An update to last year's documentary revisits the station to find out how MacKenzie and the formula he introduced, including topless darts and weather in Norwegian, are faring.
An infamous throwaway remark at the Albert Hall cost Gerald Ratner his cut-price jewellery empire. Five years on, he is pinning his hopes of a return to the big time with the first of what he hopes will be a chain of luxury health and fitness clubs. But he has just three months before the opening.
One of the richest men in Britain, Sir Michael Bishop is also chairman and financial mainstay of the struggling D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. The stage is set for a showdown when he asks for help in the form of an Arts Council grant.
With debts of £1 million, poor form on the pitch and dwindling crowds on the terraces, former rugby league giants Hull Kingston Rovers are facing extinction. In a last-ditch attempt to pull the club back from the precipice, the directors have placed Rovers into the hands of company troubleshooter Edward Klempka. Can he dig Rovers out of the mire and help to return them to their former glory?
Lord Brocket turned his ancient family seat into an exclusive conference centre. But now he is injail, convicted of fraud, and the business has collapsed. Hotel manager Michael Longshaw has arrived to take charge of the 540-acre site, given one year in which to reverse the fortunes of the Hertfordshire estate. But. as he introduces forecasts, sales targets and mission statements, there is a growing sense of unease among the staff.
As new managing director of model agency IMG, Jonathan Phang takes the reins of a struggling company that lacks young star quality. Phang has been given just six months to find the next generation of supermodels, cut costs and make a profit. Last in the series, which will return next year.
For four generations the Patemans have been making traditional men's footwear, but a strong pound and cheap imports have taken customers away. Steve Pateman has convinced his father that thigh-length boots and high-heel shoes for men is the answer and the 100-year-old Northamptonshire company must get enough orders by Christmas - or face closure.
The potential market for Vogue magazine in post-Communist Russia is huge. But Condé Nast International's multi-million pound launch is fraught with disaster from the start as the Russian government devalues the rouble.
Petra Doringisthe founder of Cabouchon, the costume jewellery firm that was the most successful direct-selling companyin Britain until it went bust last year, owing £7 million. This documentary follows Doringas she struggles to rebuild her empire from scratch, ataskwhich involves retrieving her hostile sales force, creating a new catalogue and securing investment.
Home House is a decaying 18th-century mansion in London's West End that has been empty forthe past 12 years. Brian Clivaz , a former restaurant manager and hotelier with £12 million to invest, plans to reopen it as a five-star private members' club. But 16 weeks before opening, with 70 rooms and a restaurant, bar and health spa still unfinished, his chances of finding 1,500 customers and opening on time look uncertain
Broadcaster and managing director John Myers has a reputation as the grim reaper of disc jockeys. Now it is six weeks till the launch of a new commercial radio station in Manchester. But will his chosen star, notorious politician Derek Hatton , make the grade as Degsy the talk show host? If he fails John plans to pursue exclusive commentary rights for Manchester United football games instead. Tensions mount when the first set of official audience ratings is released.
When the Pierre Victoire restaurant chain went bankrupt last year, a consortium of its restaurateurs, led by Richard Willis and Simon Edwards , staged a buy-out. But with only three months until the start of the lucrative Christmas trade, would the group manage to transform the £20 million business?
Following West End producer Andre Ptaszynski 's attempt to stage a musical based on the life of Viv Nicholson , who won a fortune on the pools and spent the lot in ten years.
After working for his family's caravan firm for 30 years, Michael Hold accepts the challenge of reinventing one of the elite models -the Buccaneer - but finds himself up against a tight deadline.
A series of disastrous business partnerships left designer Elizabeth Emanuel bankrupt. Now, backed by millionaire businessman Richard Thompson , the woman who designed Princess Diana's wedding dress is attempting a comeback. This programme follows Emanuel as she makes plans to launch her first ready-to-wear collection at this year's London Fashion Week. The series will return next year.
A special edition of the documentary strand highlighting the pressures of management in crisis situations. Wandsworth Prison in London was slammed for its poor conditions and treatment of inmates in a report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons in December 1999. Weeks later, new governor Stephen Rimmerwas installed, and cameras were allowed to follow the trials of his first year in charge.
Knitwear manufacturer Pringle once saw its sweaters sported by Hollywood stars and the fashion cognoscenti, but recent years have seen public indifference as well as financial losses. In an effort to reverse their dwindling fortunes a new chief executive officer is reinventing Pringle's designs and creating a fresh image for the brand. Producer Daniel Barry
Britain's biggest circus is in trouble and owners Gerry Cottle and Brian Austin think they have found the answer. To the dismay of their families they're spending £1.5 million bringing over a record-breaking circus troupe from China. As their other family circus limps around the north of England, Gerry and Brian struggle to cope with injuries, book sites and negotiate with their accountants. Can the Chinese act save their much loved family business? Producer Helen Batten
Benjamin Cohen is only 17 and already the darling of the financial world because his Jewish website is valued at £5 million. As he leaves school he is also moving into pornography, with a 16-million-hits-a-month search engine run with the help of classmates. The money men want more sales, while Benjamin and his pals find being top businessmen hard work. Will Benjamin be able to secure a crucial deal and turn his paper millions into hard cash?
When entrepreneur Mark Goldberg gambled his fortune on Crystal Palace football club, he lost L40 million. Now, with his marriage in ruins and still L12 million in debt, he's creating a new TV station forjob seekers. But Goldberg has neverworked in television and first impressions suggest he is out of his depth.
Former Tandoori magazine editor Iqbal Wahhab hopes to lose the curry-house image loved by the lager brigade by transforming a former library into a restaurant like no other. But will his L2.5 million dream succeed?
Yorkshire-based firm Silver Cross, the maker of Britain's poshest prams, has been bought by the Hazell family despite the collapse of the company. As they attempt to revive its fortunes, tensions mount. Will the family and the famous Silver Cross brand survive?
s Britain faces its worse farming crisis, the French government is offering British farmers generous grants and tempting interest rates. This film follows the Holland family from Sussex as they take up the offer.
In this one-off edition of the documentary series profiling business ventures, cameras follow the first year in the life of an upper-crust sandwich firm set up by cash-strapped John Montagu , the 11th Earl of Sandwich, and his son Orlando as they attempt to raise sufficient funds to renovate their crumbling home.
Bucks Fizz's Eurovision triumph kick-started three years of chart hits for the quartet, but a road accident, personal tribulations and legal trouble took their toll, and the group's fortunes dwindled. In 1996, lead singer Bobby Gee recruited David Van Day from eighties pop rivals Dollar, little realising how his band would be torn apart. Jim Carter narrates the tale of a feud that led to two rival Bucks Fizz bands touring the country and a judge deciding who owned the group brand.
Piers Adam , 35, is a friend to the stars and has already established a successful chain of night spots, but his burning ambition remains unfulfilled. With the help of his old friend, designer Giles Baker , he is gambling his fortune in the hope that two new venues will become not just "superclubs" but also world-renowned merchandising brands. As opening nights approach and financial anxieties increase, cameras follow Adam to see whether his dream is realised. Producer James Callinan Postponed from 21 February
A decade ago amid much fanfare, thrice-weekly Spain-set soap Eldorado was launched on BBC1. This is the story of how the multi-million-pound TV show was cancelled within a year.
Entrepreneur Michelle Mone and her husband developed the world's first cleavage-enhancing bra using liquid silicone gel. But, as their "Ultimo" creation captured public attention and scooped awards, rivals were fighting back. The documentary series follows Mone's turbulent crusade to sell her lingerie to a global, online market.
Billionaire John Caudwell is offering huge rewards in a competition inviting top young business talents to lead his mobile-phone firm into the future. As the hopefuls are whittled down to four "finalists", this film finds out what it takes to make it in this high-flying world.
Though they've never changed a nappy, Ben and Oliver Black have taken over a near-bankrupt nanny agency and set their sights on revolutionising the child-care industry. The business-dramas strand follows the brothers for a year to find out whether their plans bear fruit.
In 1985, after 99 years, executives decided to change the taste of the world's number one soft drink, Coca-Cola. Secret research proved the majority thought that "new Coke" tasted better. But a consumer revolt on a grand scale was about to take place.
Top chef Gordon Ramsay 's latest conquest is the Connaught Hotel in London's Mayfair, haunt of aristocrats, millionaires and statesmen. When it reopens Ramsay, a notorious taskmaster, will have put up the cash, but Angela Hartnett will be running the kitchen. This film witnesses the chemistry between the two.
A group of West Country farmers - the last makers of handmade Cheddar - face a big problem: how to shift a £5-million mountain of premium cheese with a limited shelf life. To this end, they launch their own brand to compete with the major players. But orders and jobs are soon put at risk.
Ray Mallon 's zero-tolerance policing of Middlesbrough cut crime by 20 per cent, but charges of corruption forced him to stand down. As he attempts to become the city's first directly elected mayor, in the face of a Labour establishment he blames for his downfall, this film follows Mallon's bitterly fought battle to clear his name. Producer Robi Dutta
Marketing courses, open weekends and overseas publicity trips are among the measures taken as the staff and pupils of Rannoch attempt to save the remote Perthshire boarding school from closure. Narrated by Andrew Lincoln. Series producer Joanna Ball
From Diana, Princess of Wales to Anthea Turner , Nicky Clarke has had his fair share of celebrity hair. With his wife Lesley, he built a multi-million hair care empire that's lasted years after they separated. But now Lesley's launching new ranges in her own name. Trouble at the Top takes a look behind-the-scenes. Producer Robi Dutta
Mr Brain 's faggots were once staples of the British diet, but as time has passed and tastes have changed, the meatballs fell from favour. Now the company has called in a marketing guru to stop the rot. But can Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones 's plan - to find a family of fanatical faggot-munchers and use them in an advertising campaign - help turn Britons back on to Mr Brain 's product? Narrated by Lynda Bellingham
In a bid to offer low-cost cinema tickets, easyJet-style, at a multiplex in Milton Keynes , Stelios Haji-laonnou is trying to persuade the powerful Hollywood distributors to provide him with crowd-pulling films for the opening night. But will they agree to do so when admission for some seats could be as low as 20p? Tom Baker narrates. Producer Angela Chan
A new run of documentaries about couples who work together in business begins with this profile of shoe-design guru Terry De Havilland and his partner Liz. Terry 's fight to re-establish himself as a high-street name leads to a high-profile job, but first he needs financial backing. Director Chester Dent
Model Jodie Kidd and polo-player boyfriend Tarquin Southwell are bidding to run polo and fashion events where paying customers can party alongside the rich and famous. Willing sponsors, however, are hard to find.
Tom Aikens was the youngest chef to get two Michelin stars at the age of 26. Now, having left the restaurant where he worked, following an allegation made by a colleague, he and his wife Laura have set up their own restaurant in Chelsea in a bid to recapture his former glory. Can he convince the Michelin inspectors that he is worthy of two stars once more?
Not content with running one of London's top hair salons, Richard and Hellen Ward have set their sights on another goal. The British Hairdresser of the Year award is worth fl million from the sale of spin-off hair products - but it's a risky venture, as participation costs a small fortune in glossy publicity photos and high-profile PR stunts, plus Hellen - the business brains of the operation - has fallen pregnant.
In 1993-94 the domestic appliance giant Hoover offered consumers two free flights to Europe or the US if they spent 1.100 on their products. But the overwhelming response led to parliamentary questions, bad press and disgruntled customers - some of whom even hijacked Hoover vans. Eventually 220,000 people did fly, but the case created a huge vacuum in Hoover's profit margin. Tom Baker narrates the story of arguably Britain's worst marketing disaster.
Self-made businessman John Caudwell is number two in the Sunday Times earnings list, but even such prestige did not prepare him for the insecurity he faced when his core business, high-street chain Phones 4U, hit financial trouble. With insider access throughout the company, this documentary follows the highs and lows over the four-month period that it took to rebuild the mobile phone business empire. Producer John Blystone
An amazing tale lies behind the buying and selling of a football club. Luton Town was sold for a rumoured L4 to a consortium represented by property developer John Gurney. But when Luton's managerwas let go, fans vowed to get Gurney out. To win them round, he said a new manager would be chosen by phone vote but, before lines closed, was filmed talking to the winner. Is Gurney as interested in football as he is in the club's prime site next to Luton Airport?
Gary Grant owns Britain's biggest chain of independent toy shops and plans to take on the giants of children's retailing with a massive expansion programme. His Christian beliefs, however, have put him at odds with Harry Potter, Halloween and Sunday trading. Can his business survive if he continues to put principles before profit? Tom Baker narrates. Producer Donna Sharpe
Sainsbury's New Clothes. Sainsbury's trails Tesco and Asda in the race to be the nation's favourite supermarket. But it believes the £35bn clothing market offers them the chance to fight back. As launch day nears for over 1200 new garments, production problems are threatening to scupper the operation. Will Sainsbury's £100m gamble pay off
Curt Stavis believes his low-cost ferry service across the English Channel is destined for success. What he hasn't bargained for are the worst summer storms for decades, breakdowns, bomb scares and the wrath of giant competitors facing losses as a result of slashed prices. Undaunted, Stavis has the slogan "Fight the Pirates" daubed on the side of his ship. Will SpeedFerries sink or swim? Producer Dan Child
It seemed logical for the owners of Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club to branch out with a Beatles-themed hotel. But their attempted conversion of a crumbling office block brought little more than ten years of financial misery. Producer Alison Millar
The website ManNotlncluded.com matches women with sperm donors, but, because the sperm is fresh not frozen, it isn't regulated in the same way as conventional clinics. Its founder, John Gonzalez , has been criticised by lesbian groups - despite them being his target market - and investigated by tabloids. Now he wants to start a regulated clinic. But will he be welcomed by the establishment? Director Donna Sharpe
Having made millions from British booze-cruisers, ex-market trader Dave West now has big plans for Hey Jo, a swanky Mayfair members' club named after his girlfriend Jo. But as work begins, their relationship falters. Producer Chester Dent
An extended edition that follows corporate fashion guru George Davies as he is employed to revive the fortunes of high-street giants Marks and Spencer by launching his Per Una line of womenswear. Can Davies weave his magic to be the saviour of one of Britain's most famous retailers?
Having exhausted his inheritance, aristocrat Torquil Silvanus Matthew Septimus Riley-Smith now needs to find a job. He's come up with an idea that he hopes will make his fortune all over again. Despite the fact that he knows absolutely nothing about running a radio station - or being gay - he plans to open Europe's first 24-hour radio station for gay listeners. Contains strong language. The series is scheduled to return next year.
The NHS in Britain is short of 20,000 nurses. In Spain, however, there is a surplus. This Trouble at the Top special follows a group of nurses from Seville as they take up posts in London and Stockport hospitals. They can barely speak English and have problems with the technology, but the patients begin to warm to them. Then a newspaper starts a campaign to get them sent home. Will the nurses stick it out? Producer Sara Tibbetts ; Series producer Michele Kurtland
