BBC announces stars' salaries

BBC salaries

Following on from a story last week that the BBC had published salary details of more than 100 managers, come reports that the world's largest broadcaster is set to reveal the salaries of its biggest presenters and stars - though who gets what will be withheld.

Likewise to the bold move last week, the decision by the BBC - which is wholly funded by the UK taxpayer - is aimed to create more transparency between the organisation and viewers.

According to reports the corporation is now set to disclose what it pays to a small group of its "top talent" in January. The group includes the likes of Graham Norton and Jonathan Ross, as well as veteran presenter Bruce Forsyth - who hosts flagship BBC program Strictly Come Dancing. The total is anticipated to equal more than GBP£70 million ($116.4 million) each year.

Criticism

Calls for more transparency over how the BBC spends its GBP£3.6 billion ($5.9 billion) licence fee has meant that the corporation has now pledged to update the figures on how much executive salaries get every three months, but this new step to reveal stars; salaries is likely to draw criticism.

That's because the corporation will only reveal the number of performers who fall within broad salary bands rather than individual contract, meaning the British public won't actually know who actually earns what, just what is earned.

Reports now show that the move has lead to "panicked phone calls" from BBC stars, which some critics argue suggests that the stars know they are being paid far more than can possibly be justified.

Calls from many, included political party the Conservatives, want full disclosure of stars’ salaries. In other words, say commentators, if the starts really think they are worth their salaries, they should come out and say what they earn.

But in the world of entertainment, things are never that easy and the issue, it seems, is set to go on.

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BBC execs salaries published | Cannot ignore talent

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