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20 Best TV Shows About Business
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Stories of triumph, particularly those championing the underdog's rise, are universally appealing. Filmmakers often capture the exhilaration of these journeys. If you're navigating the business world, watching TV might not be your priority, yet occasional escapes can prevent tunnel vision and stave off burnout.
With that in mind, we’ve assembled a list of TV series, films, and documentaries that embody the drive of entrepreneurs. Some are incredibly inspiring, while others serve as a lesson of caution, with the rest offering sheer enjoyment. No matter where you are in your business journey, take a moment, grab some snacks, and delve into our thoughtfully selected list.
Must-See Business-Focused TV Shows and Documentaries
1. Ballers
Featuring Dwayne Johnson in the spotlight, 'Ballers' delves into the struggles entrepreneurs face within the sports industry, offering not only entertainment but a key takeaway: perseverance is valuable in any career path.
If you're accustomed to Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's tough guy persona, prepare for a surprise. As Spencer Strasmore, he's a sensitive financial advisor aiding his NFL friends. Despite numerous setbacks, his resolve mirrors the determination every leader should possess.
Audiences were deeply moved by the show's impactful motivational elements and its exceptional scenes designed to inspire .
2. Fyre Festival: The Great Catastrophe
'Fyre: The Greatest Party that Never Happened' stands as one of the most significant entrepreneurial failures in modern times. This Netflix documentary unfolds the story of a highly-anticipated luxury music festival that promised exclusivity but swiftly devolved into chaos,
Focusing on influencer marketing serving as a warning example. With 5000 tickets sold through influencer hype, up to $100,000 each, attendees arrived to scenes of disaster: wet beaches, fallen tents, and lack of essentials. What followed were legal battles, and the mastermind was incarcerated due to fraudulent activities.
3. Mad Men
A top-rated drama now on Amazon Prime Video, Mad Men introduced audiences worldwide to the iconic Don Draper. Set in New York's Sterling Cooper ad agency during the 60s, it details the professional and private conflicts of its characters.
As Sterling Cooper's creative director, Draper navigates the balance between growing ambitions and personal tribulations. 'Mad Men' earned its praise from critics with its compelling narrative, stellar cast, and authentic portrayal. Its memorable scenes, such as 'the cigarette pitch' are etched in viewers' memories. What is Happiness? .”
Earning numerous awards including 5 Golden Globes and 16 Emmys, it remains heralded as a television landmark.
4. Silicon Valley
'Silicon Valley' spotlights the entrepreneurial mindset and its effects within budding enterprises. Richard Hendricks, a tech company employee, develops 'Pied Piper', an app with groundbreaking data compression methods, chronicling his attempt to cement the company's footprint.
The storyline navigates the virtues and pitfalls associated with greatness, probing a crucial query: in the commercial realm, can ambition coexist with ethics? 'Silicon Valley' imparts essential insights into ethics within business, while exploring the decision-makers' world. The show aired from 2014 to 2019 and is available on HBO.
5. The Profit
What if you had guidance both financially and experientially? Sounds enticing, doesn’t it? That's the core of 'The Profit'. Marcus Lemonis, the show's anchor, seeks out floundering businesses, offering aid in return for a portion of their gains.
Marcus provides emerging business owners with mentorship, channeling his $2 million funds. This show is a fantastic resource for understanding resilience amid financial adversities. It underscores the need to set aside pride and embrace assistance when necessary .'The Profit' has been broadcast since 2013 on CNBC. A Netflix investigative series exposing the largest corporate players, 'Dirty Money' unravels the dark side of capitalism by revealing financial scandals tied to billionaire magnates and beyond. It serves as a caution to entrepreneurs about distinguishing between lucrative opportunities and exploitation. It unveils disturbing corporate narratives where profits were prioritized over ethics.
6. Dirty Money
Among the most troubling revelations in 'Dirty Money' are HSBC’s drug cartel transactions, embezzlements within Malaysian funds by Hollywood elites, Volkswagen's deceitful practices, and victims of Trump's business tactics. It asks entrepreneurs to distinguish between ethical profit-making and exploitative behavior, lest they face dire consequences. Globally acclaimed, 'Breaking Bad' showcases how strategic choices can significantly propel business success. Walter White, also known as Heisenberg,
challenged the drug trade with shrewd entrepreneurial maneuvers.
7. Breaking Bad
Walter's illicit business flourished alongside his ambitions through innovative strategies to outpace rivals, form alliances, and safeguard allies, teaching the poignant lesson of accepting failures. Ultimately, this leads to his catastrophe. 'Breaking Bad' is streamable on Netflix. establishes his empire Currently celebrated as one of the finest business dramas, 'Empire' features Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon, the powerhouse behind Empire Entertainment, a thriving media conglomerate. The plot centers on his quest to identify a successor among his offspring amid rivalry for empire dominion as his former spouse vies for what she once lost.
the extent to which greed can transform an entrepreneur's life . The series presents significant insights, sequences, and strategies for enduring difficult decisions and their consequences. Released in 2015, 'Empire' is broadcast on Fox.
8. Empire
9. Inside Bill’s Brain: Examining Bill Gates
Empire perfectly sums up Available on Netflix, 'Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates' delves into the mindset of one of the globe's leading businessmen and benefactors. It chronicles his journey through handling significant entrepreneurial questions. Spanning his upbringing, academic life, tenure at Microsoft, and philanthropic efforts, the three-episode documentary scrutinizes the factors driving Gates' progress, offering viewers invaluable entrepreneurship lessons.
Accessible via ABC, this unique series unveils the inner workings of investor deliberations, illustrating how entrepreneurs should present proposals for optimal outcomes. The narrative unveils the backstage intricacies and assesses how investors determine the potential of business ideas.
'Shark Tank' illustrates innovative entrepreneurs devising creative strategies to cement success narratives. However, not every concept triumphs; this adherence to reality underpins the program’s authenticity. Debuting in 2009, 'Shark Tank' has entered its twelfth season.
'Dragon’s Den' stands as the quintessential program for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking pitch perfection. Its premise: entrepreneurs reveal their concepts to five high-profile entrepreneurs, or dragons, and aspire for affirmative responses. Post-presentation, dragons' queries dictate outcomes.
10. Shark Tank
Participants aim to convince the dragons to invest considerable sums with their proposals. This gives viewers insight into effective approaches. 'Dragon’s Den' is a valuable exploration for emerging entrepreneurs and is accessible through the BBC.
Apple's premiere series delves into mobile app development and the innovators behind the creativity. Hosted by Jessica Alba, Will.I.Am, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Gary Vaynerchuk, each segment allows developers one minute to propose initiatives, impressing the hosts for a subsequent opportunity to pitch to venture capitalists.
11. Dragon’s Den
'Planet of the Apps' serves as a captivating venture for entrepreneurs, offering a guide on investor-worthy pitches. The narrative delivers intriguing concepts and underscores the significance of marketing. Crafting a groundbreaking product or service is only the beginning of the journey.
The hit reality series spearheaded and hosted by Tilman Fertitta, Landry’s Inc CEO, features his quest around the US each episode for groundbreaking hospitality innovations. Contestants strive to capture Fertitta’s interest, aiming for a transformative collaboration chance with Landry’s.
12. Planet of the Apps
Top 20 Business-Themed Television Programs Everyone Should See
Entrepreneurs on the hunt for motivational material should definitely explore our carefully compiled list of the top 20 TV shows that focus on business. It's designed to ignite a passion in you!
13. Billion Dollar Buyer
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We've compiled a comprehensive selection of TV programs, films, and documentaries that embody the essence of the entrepreneurial journey.
14. The Newsroom
The allure of an inspiring tale captivates us all, especially those who create films. The excitement of witnessing an underdog's rise to success can be immensely uplifting, particularly when they overcome significant challenges. Entrepreneurs might find watching television a lower priority; nevertheless, it's beneficial to occasionally indulge in simple pleasures. Overworking can sometimes lead to a lack of awareness and heightened stress.
Reflecting on this, we have assembled a list of widely popular TV shows, films, and documentaries that resonate with the spirit of entrepreneurship. Certain selections provide powerful inspiration, others offer vital lessons, and some are simply for enjoyment. Regardless of your business's current phase, take a moment to relax and enjoy as you explore our handpicked recommendations.
Essential TV Series and Documentaries on Business and Business Culture
15. The Grand Hustle
In the series 'Ballers,' featuring Dwayne Johnson as the main character, viewers dive into the frequent setbacks faced by entrepreneurs. Although centered around the sports industry, this television show is thoroughly entertaining and conveys an essential truth: persistence is rewarding regardless of your profession.
If you envision 'The Rock' as the epitome of toughness, brace yourself for a fresh perspective. As Spencer Strasmore, a tender-hearted financial advisor, he aids his younger colleagues in the NFL. Despite enduring numerous challenges and losses, his determination to succeed is reminiscent of an ideal leader.
16. The Office
The series left profound impressions on its viewers with powerful motivational scenes.
2. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Transpired
17. House of Lies
Often lauded as this century's monumental entrepreneurial blunder, 'Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened' captures attention.
This Netflix documentary unravels the tale of a luxury music festival hyped by supermodels, anticipated as an unparalleled experience. However, things quickly soured, resulting in a chaotic failure.
18. Better Call Saul
The documentary serves as a stark warning. Hundreds of influencers effectively facilitated the sale of 5,000 tickets each priced up to $100,000. But instead of luxury, attendees found themselves on muddy shores, surrounded by collapsed tents, and devoid of amenities. The event culminated in trouble for the organizers, involving disputes with significant clients and the lead figure facing incarceration for fraudulent activities.
An immensely-renowned drama series accessible on Amazon Prime Video introduced the world to the iconic character Donald Draper.
19. Suits
The narrative of 'Mad Men' revolves around the fictional advertising firm Sterling Cooper in 1960s New York and delves into the lives of its staff.
As the creative lead at Sterling Cooper, Draper grapples with balancing his surging ambitions with his personal life. 'Mad Men' received wide acclaim for its gripping storyline, stellar performances, direction, cinematic quality, and historical accuracy. It etched a lasting impression on fans through standout scenes such as...
20. Kitchen Nightmares
Overall, the series has earned numerous accolades, including 5 Golden Globes and 16 Emmys, solidifying its status as one of television's finest productions.
Silicon Valley delves into the heart of entrepreneurship and its potential effects on emerging ventures. The central character, Richard Hendricks, devises a groundbreaking app named Pied Piper, featuring innovative data compression technology. His journey to establish his company anchors the storyline.
Conclusion
The narrative explores the virtues and pitfalls associated with striving for greatness, posing a critical inquiry: can ambition and avarice coexist peacefully in the business realm? 'Silicon Valley' offers critical insights into moral and commercial standards while spotlighting decisive figures. Airing from 2014 to 2019, the series is available on HBO.
Imagine having not just financial backing but invaluable experience at your disposal; it's quite exhilarating, right? This concept underscores the premise of 'The Profit.' Marcus Lemonis, the show's host, locates struggling businesses and aids their proprietors in exchange for a share of future profits. digital marketing Throughout the program, Marcus guides emerging business leaders and invests from his $2 million reserve. It's a brilliant resource for mastering resilience and navigating financial adversity. The show underscores the necessity of humility and welcoming assistance when confronting challenges. 'The Profit,' which debuted in 2013, continues to air on CNBC.
