Wake Up to Money

What does success in the Winter Olympics mean for the popularity of the sports in the UK? Will Bain talks to the director of British curling and the managing director of some the country's biggest winter sports venues. We'll also be hearing from the creative director of the opening ceremony in Milan. And it's a hold on UK interest rates and jitters in the US stock markets over AI. Will Bain discusses what it all means on both sides of the Atlantic with our regular Friday panel.

Sean Farrington hears about why some pharmacies are reducing their opening hours. Elsewhere, nearly half of zoos have reported financial struggles since 2022, and we look ahead to the Bank of England's latest rates decision.

As Disney chooses its next CEO, Sean learns what the appointment suggests about the company's focus. Plus, there's more on Elon Musk's mega-merger, and Sean asks what's behind Gen Z's craving for cottage cheese.

Sean Farrington reacts to Elon Musk's merger of Space-X and xAI - making it the most valuable private company ever.And, as the government tackles forever chemicals linked to harm to the environment and human health - Sean Farrington speaks to an outdoor clothing brand that's already developing alternatives.And we discuss the future of Disney as its veteran CEO prepares to leave the entertainment giant.Three coins in the fountain? Why you may need four or five coins in your pocket the next time you visit Rome's world-famous landmark.

Felicity Hannah hears how rising energy prices are affecting the cost of growing fruit and vegetables. And what President Trump's pick for chair of the Federal Reserve could mean for the global economy. Over in Los Angeles, we'll be getting reaction to this year's Grammy Awards. Is the annual music business bash as important to the industry as it once was?

Felicity Hannah rounds up a week in business news that saw the PM travel to China and most of the world's biggest companies revealed their first quarter performance. She also hears from a shoemaker in Leicester who's family business is on the brink, despite their products being worn by the Royals.And she gets some advice for those about to submit their self-assessment tax return ahead of Saturday's deadline.Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Felicity Hannah discusses rising water bills, and the FCA's new fraud-checker. Further from home, Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets President Xi Jinping in China.

Will Bain looks at a long-awaited support package for English pubs. Elsewhere, Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits China, and we hear about financial issues in the world of rugby.

Will Bain takes a look at poverty rates in the UK. Elsewhere, a pub landlord discusses the cost of screening live sports, and we speak to a business helping schools to manage phone use in the classroom.

With demand for rare earths at an unprecedented high, Will Bain speaks to the boss of a UK company which is recycling magnets for the elements contained inside. Also, we hear from a pub boss waiting to learn from the government what help with business rates looks like. And the Sundance film festival, the US's biggest independent movie get-together, is currently happening in Utah. We speak to British producers and cinema bosses about the enduring appeal of the festival.

What does the lifting of the latest threat of tariffs on US imports mean to one our most lucrative exports to the States. Leanne Byrne speaks to a whisky producer. And, we'll be going over the extraordinary turn of events at the World Economic Forum with our regular Friday panel of business and economic experts. What now for trade relations between the EU and the US? And we'll be delving into the runaway success of The Traitors and finding out why some venues are so excited by the final, they're throwing a party.

As Trump backs down on imposing tariffs, we look into the 'framework of a future deal'. Will Bain also looks into why more electricity was generated by wind and solar farms last year than fossil fuels. And we take a look at a new football report, which says commercial revenue - including official merchandise -remains the biggest source of income overall for the top 20 clubs.

As Trump heads to Davos, we look into the looming trade war between the US and Europe. Reaction to Netflix reporting their Q4 earnings, and we'll be getting to the bottom of the crisis in the UK's music scene. Why are so many smaller venues struggling to survive?

A year since Donald Trump returned to the White House. How has the US economy fared? Will Bain also lifts the drain cover on the Government's plans for a new water regulator. And the the boss of shoe and handbag maker Kurt Geiger talks education.

Will Bain discusses the reaction from European leaders after US president Donald Trump vowed to impose a 10% levy on goods imported from eight European nations, including the UK, until a deal was reached over the future of Greenland.Plus, Will finds out what's on the agenda at this week's World Economic Forum in Davos, and discusses the many ways weight loss drugs are changing the food industry.

John Vincent of fast food chain Leon tells Will Bain what he sees in the future of the business - including how he thinks weight-loss jabs will be good for the company.Our weekly panel looks back at a week of news that's included announcements on rail in the north of England, another government policy U-turn and charges against the chair of the US central bank.And interest in going vegan for the month of January could be fading - one plant-based food producer tells us why they've moved on from the campaign.

Will Bain gets the latest on South East Water as the Government asks for an Ofwat review.Elsewhere, the Government's latest renewable energy auction round attracts significant investment and Wikipedia turns 25.

Will Bain looks at the Government's plan for the Northern Powerhouse Rail project.Elsewhere, we take a look at the US economy, in light of new inflation figures and the ongoing probe into the Chair of the US Central Bank. We will also hear about the Scottish Budget and the return of KPop group BTS.

Will Bain takes a look at how a probe into the US central bank might unfold.Elsewhere, new figures shed light on a tricky Christmas for retailers and Royal Mail looks to get in on the Stranger Things excitement.

As geopolitics continues to dominate early 2026, Felicity Hannah has the latest on events around Greenland and Iran.Closer to home, we take a look at jobs market, consumer credit card debt, and speak to one of the businesses that's been handling the impact of Storm Goretti over the weekend.