Power to the People

Power to the People (2015)

EndedDocumentary show

Series following the work that goes into running one of the 'Big Six' energy companies, SSE. This documentary series follows the staff over a year as they keep the countries power flowing.

Network
Scheduleevery Tuesday at 21:00 (60 min)

Last Episode

The Customer Is Always Right
Season 1Episode 360 min

The Customer Is Always Right

In the final episode, we follow the story of SSE attempting to turn around its reputation - following criticism in parliament, fines for mis-selling and hundreds of thousands of customers leaving the company. 'I'm not sure I'm going to make people love the energy sector,' admits chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies. 'I'm not like a rock star getting on stage here and hitting the first chord of a great song.'

Alistair entrusts one of his lieutenants, Will Morris, with the job of making us feel differently about SSE. Will commissions an expensive new advert about 'the fun electricity brings to our lives', featuring Maya, a computer-generated orangutan.

Down on the ground, the company's linesmen are getting on with the job of replacing cables and wires, some dating dating back to the 1930s. Linesman Kevin Wade admits he's survived a few electric shocks replacing these cables. But bad weather is on the way - a storm hits and operations manager Bev Keogh must despatch linesmen to repair cables brought down by falling trees. Some customers lose power for hours.

No sooner has the company weathered that storm than the energy sector is in trouble again - this time for not cutting its gas prices fast enough when wholesale costs fall. SSE agrees to cut its gas price, but Alistair Phillips-Davies says the cut will put a £60m dent in the company's income.

We're all using less electricity than we used to - so energy companies like SSE are trying to sell us other products as well. In the company's call centres, they take the opportunity of customers phoning in with a complaint to offer them a broadband deal or phone package. Maya the CGI orangutan is enlisted to help sell the broadband deal in her latest advert.

At the end of the year, Alistair has managed to nudge the company's profits up - as broadband sales increase and customer satisfaction goes up too. But another half-a-million customers have still left the company.

Dec 1, 2015

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E03The Customer Is Always RightDec 1, 2015
S01E02It's Not Easy Being GreenNov 24, 2015
S01E01Keeping the Lights OnNov 17, 2015
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did 'Power to the People premiered?'

'Power to the People' premiered on March 12, 2015.

Who is the creator of 'Power to the People?'

'Power to the People' was created by Alex Gibney.

What is 'Power to the People' about?

'Power to the People' is a documentary series that explores some of the major social and political movements in America's recent history.

How many episodes were in the first season of 'Power to the People?'

The first season of 'Power to the People' had six episodes.

Who narrated 'Power to the People?'

'Power to the People' was narrated by Michael Kenneth Williams.

Which political movement is featured in the first episode of 'Power to the People?'

The first episode of 'Power to the People' features the Black Panthers movement.

Who did the Black Panthers movement appeal to?

The Black Panthers movement appealed primarily to African Americans who faced systemic racism, poverty, and police brutality.

Which movement is covered in the fourth episode of 'Power to the People?'

The fourth episode of 'Power to the People' covers the American Indian Movement.

Who started the American Indian Movement?

The American Indian Movement was started by Dennis Banks and Clyde Bellecourt, both Native American activists.

Which group did the American Indian Movement target?

The American Indian Movement primarily targeted the US government's disregard for the rights of Native Americans and their treatment of them.

Which political movement is covered in the fifth episode of 'Power to the People?'

The fifth episode of 'Power to the People' covers the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist movement.

Who was the founder of the Young Lords movement?

The Young Lords movement was founded by Puerto Rican activist Jose Cha Cha Jimenez.

Cast

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Characters

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