There is a familiar mix across tonight’s schedules, competition finales, long-running formats and dependable drama, but one programme stands apart for its subject matter.
The story of Silicon Valley’s most visible figure continues to unfold in real time, and television is still trying to keep pace. What emerges is less a biography than an attempt to understand influence in the digital age.
Pick of the day
The Elon Musk Show: The Next Chapter, 9pm, BBC Two
The return of this documentary series picks up where its predecessor left off, but the context has shifted considerably. Since the last instalment, Elon Musk has moved from disruptor to something closer to a political actor, largely through his control of a global communications platform.
The focus here is the takeover of Twitter, now X, and what followed. Former colleagues, schoolfriends and insiders attempt to map out a personality that remains contradictory. Visionary to some, erratic to others.
What makes the programme work is its refusal to settle on a single narrative. Instead, it presents Musk as a figure shaped as much by impulse as by strategy. His public alignment with Donald Trump, followed by a very public falling out, is treated less as drama and more as evidence of a broader pattern.
There is also a quieter thread running beneath the surface. The question of what happens when one individual gains control over a platform that shapes political discourse. It is not explored in depth, but it lingers.
For viewers interested in technology, media power and the fragility of online spaces, this is easily the most relevant programme of the evening.
Race Across the World: The Final
8pm, BBC One
After weeks on the road, the series reaches its conclusion. The format remains simple, but the tension is real.
The final leg forces contestants to make a choice between speed and certainty. It is a reminder that the show works best when it allows decisions, rather than drama, to drive the narrative.Classic Movies: The Story of Three Days of the Condor
Classic Movies: The Story of Three Days of the Condor
8pm, Sky Arts
A thoughtful look back at a 1970s thriller shaped by political unease. The analysis leans heavily on historical context, drawing links to Vietnam, Watergate and economic instability.
It is a niche offering, but a worthwhile one for those interested in how cinema reflects its time.
Taskmaster
9pm, Channel 4
Now well into its run, the format feels settled. That familiarity is part of its appeal.
There are still moments of unpredictability, but the tone is more relaxed than in earlier series. It has become something closer to comfort viewing.
The Hardacres
9pm, Channel 5
The period drama continues to explore class and ambition, with the central family navigating both opportunity and resistance.
It remains understated, but consistently watchable.
Prisoner
9pm, Sky Atlantic
The thriller escalates again, leaning into action and confrontation.
It is not subtle, but it understands its pace and delivers accordingly.
Film choice
Glory, 11.40pm, Film4
A historical drama that still carries weight. The story of one of the first Black regiments in the American Civil War is told with a focus on both heroism and inequality.
While the framing reflects the era in which it was made, the performances give it lasting impact.
Watching from abroad
Programmes like this, particularly documentaries tied to current affairs or platform power, often generate interest beyond the UK. Access, however, remains inconsistent due to regional restrictions across BBC, Channel 4 and other services.
For viewers travelling or based overseas, this can be frustrating, especially when coverage relates directly to global technology and media.
A VPN offers a practical workaround by routing traffic through a UK connection, allowing platforms such as BBC iPlayer to function as expected. Stability tends to matter more than speed, particularly during live broadcasts or high demand releases.
Services such as Liberty Shield are often used in this context, providing a consistent connection that supports streaming without interruption.
Final thoughts
Thursday’s schedule is varied but steady. There is little here that surprises.
What stands out is the attempt to document a figure who is still actively shaping the systems being discussed. The Elon Musk Show does not claim to have the full picture. It cannot.
But it does something more useful. It captures a moment, and leaves the wider implications open.