MCMILLIONS

Sky Documentaries/NOW TV, 9.00pm

There are three channel launches on Sky and

NOW TV today – Sky Documentaries, Sky Nature and Sky History. All launch at midday and do what they say on the tin. Sky Nature will be the home to a cornucopia of high-definition wildlife, including a glut of David Attenborough films. The pick of today’s schedule is Gangs of Lemur Island (7pm), a charming look at the primate turf wars of Madagascar. There’s less excitement on Sky History, which is simply a rebranding of Sky’s History channel. Sky Documentaries, however, looks far more promising, with some exciting programming in the pipeline this year.

The jewel in the crown on launch day, and one of the best documentaries of year so far, is the labyrinthine McMillions, an enormously entertaining six-part investigation courtesy of HBO. In 2001, the FBI got wind that there was some sort of fraud going on with McDonald’s popular Monopoly game – essentially, collect tokens, win prizes. However, a tip-off suggested that those winning the big prizes – including $1,000,000 – were all related. And it all linked back to someone called “Uncle Jerry”. What begins as a thriller, morphs into a delicate character study. Superb. Chris Bennion

am The Sweeney (S) pm Quincy ME (S)

Kojak (S)

The Return of Sherlock Holmes (AD) (S)

Minder Arthur branches out into karaoke (AD) (S) The Professionals (AD) (S)

The Sweeney Carter’s wife is targeted by a hitand-run driver (S)

The Chase Quiz show, hosted by Bradley Walsh (S)

Apollo 13 (1995) Fact-based drama about the efforts to return the crew of the Apollo 13 lunar mission safely to Earth after an on-board explosion. Starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton. Includes FYI Daily (AD) (S)

Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983) Comedy adventure starring Jackie Gleason. Includes FYI Daily (AD) (S)

- 1.25am Minder (AD) (S)

We’re lovin’ it: McMillions tells a scarcely believable true story

Britain’s Unsung Heroes: lorry driver Carl at work