Toast - Commodore Computers

About this episode

<p>Why did the best-selling computer manufacturer, Commodore, go bust?</p><p>While Sliced Bread takes a break we serve up… Toast. A study of the spectacular failures of brands which had promised so much to consumers.</p><p>In each episode, the presenter and BBC business journalist, Sean Farrington, examines one big idea. What did it promise? Why did it fail? What can we learn from it today?</p><p>In this episode, Sean examines the remarkable story behind the man who founded one of the world's best-selling computer manufacturers. </p><p>Commodore computers were huge in the 1980s so why couldn't the business adapt to survive in an age when computing became even more popular? </p><p>Expert commentators and employees reflect on why the company was so successful and what led to its demise. </p><p>Guests include David Pleasance - a former Commodore international executive and later joint managing director of its UK arm; Tim Danton - editor-in-chief of PC Pro magazine; Dan Wood - a Commodore computers enthusiast.</p><p>Alongside them is the self-made millionaire and serial entrepreneur, Sam White, to analyse the missteps that changed the brand’s fortunes.</p><p>If you have an idea for a topic with a toast moment then you can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.uk</p><p>Sliced Bread returns for a new batch of investigations in February. In the new series, Greg Foot will investigate more of the latest so-called wonder products to find out whether they really are the best thing since sliced bread. In the meantime, Toast is available in the Sliced Bread feed on BBC Sounds.</p><p>Toast is produced by Jon Douglas and Viant Siddique and is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.</p>