The Money Programme, believed to the world's longest running business affairs programme, debuted on 5 April 1966. At the time Britain was struggling with a debt of £899 million, and producer Terry Hughes promised the programme would examine the inevitable changes to business and economic life. The weekly magazine show was introduced by a thrilling signature tune played by Jimmy Smith - the theme from The Carpetbaggers, by Elmer Bernstein.
The Money Programme has featured interviews with the most influential names in business, a diverse list including Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch, Alexander McQueen, Michael Eisner and Michael Bloomberg. However the programme also made headlines, as in 1977 when Sir James Goldsmith objected to a line of questioning about his company Cavenham Ltd, and stormed out of an interview.
In 2005 the programme partnered with the Open University, and gathered awards for its journalism whilst it charted the changing business world.
In 2007 it made history when a whole episode was broadcast in the virtual online world of "Second Life". The Money Programme finished its run in 2010.
