Business On TV

Cameras shadow six high-powered British entrepreneurs as they navigate their way through the labyrinth of big business in Trouble at the Top, a new series on BBC 2, Wednesday, 9.50 p.m.10.25 p.m.

The first episode, entitled Ratner Returns, follows the attempted comeback of erstwhile jeweller Gerald Ratner with what he hopes will be a new chain of health and fitness clubs.

Karl Tsigdinos opens Drive, Tuesday, Network 2, 10 p.m.10.30 p.m., with a test drive of the Skoda Octavia from Czechoslovakia and Michael Sheridan takes the Irish Car of the Year, the Citroen Xsara, on the road.

But for the business person who has everything, the all-new Volkswagen Beetle may well be the ultimate in designer motors. One of the most long-awaited cars in decades, Top Gear, Thursday, BBC 2, 8.30 p.m.-9 p.m., gives it the Jeremy Clarkson treatment.

Leargas, Tuesday, RTE 1, 7.30 p.m.8 p.m., profiles the downside of motoring. Reporter Pat Butler goes behind the statistics to meet three young men from Connemara whose lives have been shattered as a result of a road accident.

Tesco continues its frantic efforts to keep ahead of the opposition by relaunching its Clubcard - "a vital marketing tool" according to chief executive Terry Leahy - in Superstore: In the Club, Thursday, BBC 2, 9 p.m.9.30 p.m. But while the gimmicks are dreamed up in head office, it's the staff on the ground at Banbury who must implement them.

"Experts" claim that women shop as a substitute for sex, and that they are far more motivated to shop than men in Shop Till You Drop, Channel 4, Tuesday 8 p.m.8.30 p.m. The programme explores the dynamics of female shopping relationships and how shops are catering for women's bored other halves.

"Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink" may well be the truth in the next millennium if something isn't done about water pollution. Ear to the Ground, Tuesday, RTE 1, 8.30 p.m.9 p.m. includes a report by David Kavanagh on the measures introduced by the Danish government. Strict controls on farming, high taxes on fertilisers and stiff fines for over-production of slurry seem to be the answer - but would it work here?