Business Daily BBC Podcasts

Offering small unsecured loans to the world’s poorest was meant to transform the lives of millions but in Sri Lanka microfinance has left many women with debts they simply can't repay.

In a special two-part Business Daily report, Ed Butler visits the villages in Sri Lanka where many of those otherwise excluded from organised finance have taken small loans only for their finances to spiral into debt.

What's gone wrong with mircofinance? Has it led to a new wave of predatory lending?

Presenter / producer: Ed Butler
Image: Women in Welioya; Credit: BBC

Musicians, promoters and comedians take us inside the grass roots gigging industry.

David Reid speaks to guitar band Vernons Future about their experience gigging at small venues in the UK and getting their music out to international audiences via streaming platforms.

We also hear from gig promotions company Bugbear about organising gigs and comedians trying their luck at an open mic night, hoping to make it onto the comedy circuit.

Presenter / producer: David Reid
Image: Vernons Future; Credit: BBC

Gospel: Is the spiritual message of the music getting lost in the world of commercialism?

It's the two billion dollar music industry with faith at the forefront. We investigate whether mainstream music artists are diluting an industry that dedicates itself to the word of god.

Hear from one of gospel's best selling artists, Marvin Sapp, and a gospel choir leader in Rwanda.

Presenter / producer: Izzy Greenfield
Image: Marvin Sapp; Credit: Marvin Sapp

The music industry is worth billions of dollars and creates thousands of jobs across the world, but how do you become part of such a lucrative but exclusive industry?

The global head of music operations at Tik Tok tells us how the app has become a game-changer in the industry. Kenyan DJ Coco Em talks about about the barriers African artists have to overcome and British rapper Aitch’s manager explains how he came to work with one of the biggest rap artists in Europe.

Presenter / producer: Izzy Greenfield
Image: Coco Em; Credit: Jente Vanbrabant

All this week on Business Daily, we’re focusing on the music industry, which is worth $26 billion a year globally. Today, we’re joined by the hugely successful musician, content creator and businessman Jason Derulo. He tells us what it takes to build a brand as successful as his, and about the unlikely investment that's made him millions of dollars.

Presenter/producer: Izzy Greenfield

Image: Jason Derulo (Credit: Joe Scarnici/LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Grand Theft Auto changed gaming forever. In this programme we find out how.

Chris Warburton meets the creative team from Dundee in Scotland who came up with the concept for Grand Theft Auto 25 years ago. We look into how it was picked up, marketed and ultimately sold to millions and millions of us.

Grand Theft Auto was revolutionary, but it was also controversial with its depictions of shocking, graphic violence. This is the story of how the game and its makers overcame moral panic, political opposition and naysayers to become one of the most successful entertainment brands of a generation.

Presenter: Chris Warburton
Producer: Ciaran Tracey
Image: GTA: Credit: Getty Images