A timely return for Irish viewers of The Money Programme (Sunday, 7.30 p.m., BBC2) deals with Changing Banks as British banks come under fire for charging too much. A rash of mergers is transforming the traditional High Street bank. First-e, the Internetonly bank established in Britain by the Dublin-based holding company, Enba and Banque d'Escompte of France will be featured in the programme. Will customers switch their business?
City whiz-kids star on Show Me The Money (Monday to Friday, 1 p.m., Channel 4) the quiz show with a difference, and try to convince gameplayers to invest in their companies. This week's contenders include: Mr Hugh Humphreys, managing director of IT company, Delcam; Mr John Sulley, chief executive of Independent Energy; and the managing director of specialist tea shop, Whittards Will Hobhouse. This show has a growing following and when Mr Jeremy Metcalfe, chairman of Minmet, appeared on it recently his company's shares shot up 20 per cent.
Ear to the Ground (Monday, 8.30 p.m., RTE 1) reports from Belgium on the crisis facing Europe's food industry.
Reporter Mairead McGuinness investigates the likelihood of a dioxin-type scandal happening again and talks to the Republic's new EU commissioner, Mr David Byrne (left), about the challenge he faces in the role. Mr Byrne takes up his appointment this month and he is in charge of food safety and consumer protection. He faces the difficult task of trying to restore the good name of Europe's food industry.
Despite the growing attractions of the Internet there is still money to be made in publishing. Close Up: First Writes (Wednesday, 9.30 p.m, BBC 2) takes three struggling, first-time would-be authors and follows their highs and lows as they dream of that £100,000 advance. Getting accepted by an agent is the vital first rung up the ladder.
