WHAT TO WATCH

BRANSON Sky Documentaries, 2am & 9pm

Sometimes, the Sky simulcast makes perfect sense – for the latest George RR Martin opus perhaps, or for Succession obsessives. This threepart documentary about Richard Branson may be a tougher sell. Still, whether you choose to stay up until 2am, wait until the evening showing or catch up later, this is an entertainingly comprehensive, albeit semi-authorised overview of an controversial figure. Branson’s involvement (alongside that of colleagues and family members) does not preclude a certain degree of necessary scepticism; one journalist describes the Virgin mogul as “a hardass absolutely focused on the bottom line”.

This opener looks at his childhood, adventures in student journalism and launch of Virgin Records – the foundation of his empire that almost crumbled at the outset when authorities got wind of some sharp financial practice (his parents remortgaged their house to keep him afloat). Proceeding via Virgin’s Big Bang moment of Tubular Bells and purchase of Necker

Island, director Chris Smith cannot wholly resist Branson’s careful massaging of image and messaging, but this is more incisive and critical than it might have been. Gabriel Tate