The Ascent of Money
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 14:16 IST
About
Historian Niall Ferguson tells the story of money and the rise of global finance. Bringing context and understanding to the current economic crisis, he reveals how the history of finance has been punctuated by gut-wrenching crashes.
Cast
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
Dreams of avarice
From Shylock's pound of flesh to the loan sharks of Glasgow, from the 'promises to pay' on Babylonian clay tablets to the Medici banking system, Professor Ferguson explains the origins of credit and debt and why credit networks are indispensable to any civilisation.
Human Bondage
How did finance become the realm of the masters of the universe? Through the rise of the bond market in Renaissance Italy. With the advent of bonds, war finance was transformed and spread to north-west Europe and across the Atlantic. It was the bond market that made the Rothschilds the richest and most powerful family of the 19th century. And today governments are asking it to bail them out.
Blowing Bubbles
Why do stock markets produce bubbles and busts? Professor Ferguson goes back to the origins of the joint stock company in Amsterdam and Paris. He draws telling parallels between the current stock market crash and the 18th-century Mississippi Bubble of Scottish financier John Law and the 2001 Enron bankruptcy. He shows why humans have a herd instinct when it comes to investment, and why no one can accurately predict when the bulls might stampede.
Risky Business
Life is a risky business – which is why people take out insurance. But faced with an unexpected disaster, the state has to step in. Professor Ferguson travels to post-Katrina New Orleans to ask why the free market can't provide adequate protection against catastrophe. His quest for an answer takes him to the origins of modern insurance in the early 19th century and to the birth of the welfare state in post-war Japan.
Safe as Houses
It sounded so simple: give state-owned assets to the people. After all, what better foundation for a property-owning democracy than a campaign of privatisation encompassing housing? An economic theory says that markets can't function without mortgages, because it's only by borrowing against their assets that entrepreneurs can get their businesses off the ground. But what if mortgages are bundled together and sold off to the highest bidder?
Chimerica
Since the 1990s, once risky markets in Asia, Latin America and eastern Europe have become better investments than the UK or US stock market. The explanation is the rise of 'Chimerica', the economic marriage of China and the United States. But does it make sense for poor Chinese savers to lend to rich American spenders?
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Watch The Ascent of Money Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Looking for a place to watch The Ascent of Money online for free? You've landed on the right page. The Ascent of Money is a highly acclaimed English documentary series from 2008 that you can stream right now on Bowood.TV in high quality, no signup required.
About The Ascent of Money
Historian Niall Ferguson tells the story of money and the rise of global finance. Bringing context and understanding to the current economic crisis, he reveals how the history of finance has been punctuated by gut-wrenching crashes. Across 1 season and 6 episodes, originally airing on Channel 4.
The Ascent of Money Cast and Characters
The cast features Niall Ferguson (as Himself - Presenter). Their performances are a major reason The Ascent of Money has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch The Ascent of Money Online
Bowood.TV lets you stream The Ascent of Money online free, instantly, in HD. There's nothing to install — open the page, hit play, done. Works perfectly on Jio, Airtel, Vi networks across India and on slow mobile data thanks to our adaptive video pipeline.
▶ Watch The Ascent of Money NowWhy People Are Watching The Ascent of Money
There's a reason The Ascent of Money keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Ascent of Money
Where can I watch The Ascent of Money online for free?
You can watch The Ascent of Money online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does The Ascent of Money have?
The Ascent of Money has 6 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is The Ascent of Money good? What's the rating?
The Ascent of Money holds a 8.0/10 rating based on 1 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of The Ascent of Money?
The main cast includes Niall Ferguson.
Is The Ascent of Money available in English?
Yes — The Ascent of Money was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was The Ascent of Money released?
The Ascent of Money first aired in 2008.
Do I need an account to watch The Ascent of Money on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch The Ascent of Money without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Series You Might Like
If you enjoyed The Ascent of Money, check out Jon Richardson Grows Up, Sport vs Money with Simon Jordan, Money, Explained, Hidden Secrets of Money, and Origins: The Journey of Humankind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Ascent of Money for free?
You can watch The Ascent of Money online for free on Bowood.TV. All 6 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does The Ascent of Money have?
The Ascent of Money currently has 1 season and a total of 6 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is The Ascent of Money about?
Historian Niall Ferguson tells the story of money and the rise of global finance. Bringing context and understanding to the current economic crisis, he reveals how the history of finance has been punctuated by gut-wrenching crashes. It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is The Ascent of Money originally available?
The Ascent of Money was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was The Ascent of Money first released?
The Ascent of Money first premiered on November 17, 2008 (2008). The series has since concluded its run.
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