The Money Programme

Since the birth of the internet, the giants of the entertainment industry have been unable to get their act together to sell their wares successfully on the web. Instead they've been outmanoeuvred by pirate networks which give away the product for nothing. [ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/the_money_programme/archive/ ]

The online auction site eBay is ten years old - that's pensionable age in "internet time". But this original star of Silicon Valley's dotcom boom is still growing at over 40%, and now earns half a billion pounds a year.

In the 18 months since its stock market flotation, Google has been transformed from a company that prided itself on being simple and effective, into a multi-headed high tech beast which wants to get involved in everything.

One of the most famous names in toys is back, after going bust. Airfix has been bought by model train giant Hornby, which plans to rebuild the brand. But will today's Playstation generation even notice?

Despite the credit crunch, increasing inflation and falling house prices, some businesses are reporting record profits. Pawnbrokers, bailiffs, company liquidators and discount retailers are recording bulging order books and soaring profits. The boss of Ryanair says the slump is actually good for his business.

The Money Programme team presents an inside account of the BP oil spill. Features a host of interviews with key industry insiders, including world exclusives with Bob Dudley, the new Head of BP and Tony Hayward, his predecessor.