The editor of the Economist, Frances Cairncross, features on Agenda (Sunday, noon, TV3) and talks about her book Death of Distance: How the Communications Revolution Will Change Our Lives. Dan Flinter of Enterprise Ireland will also take part in the discussion.
Will the mighty Microsoft beat off its assailants as it has done in the past, or is this the beginning of the end for one of the strongest corporations the world has ever seen? Its dominance is being challenged on all fronts with the US government's legal assault and powerful new competition beginning to emerge in its core markets. The Money Programme: Software Wars (Sunday, 7.30 p.m., BBC2) investigates.
The first of four programmes from London Fashion Week, Made in Britain, starts on Monday, BBC2, at 11.20 p.m. New collections will be highlighted and the mechanics of promotion and publicity and the impact of fresh looks on highstreet stores.
The programme is on every weekday except Thursday.
It's Your Money (Tuesday, 8.00 p.m., RTE 1) looks at whether investing in wine pays off. It also reports on the barter system, the best way to be financially protected from sickness and disability and on the financial implications of divorce.
The multibillion dollar drug industry will probably not be too pleased at the conclusions in Trust Me, I'm a Doctor (Wednesday, 7.30 p.m., BBC2) which looks at the placebo effect. Some medical research has shown that 80 per cent of the effect of antidepressants is pure placebo.
Alvin gives out some sound financial advice to a debt-ridden hairdresser on Your Money Or Your Life (Wednesday, 8.00 p.m., BBC2). Lisa Hunt is holding out for a knight in shining armour, but Alvin shows her how she can get back on track.
Last week's scheduled Ear to the Ground on a new Co Meath bypass was postponed until this Monday due to the farmers' protest on meat prices.
sokelly@irish-times.ie
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