BBC to cut salaries of stars

[Sash]

The BBC is to cut the amount it pays leading stars including Jonathan Ross, Jeremy Clarkson and Chris Moyles as part of its latest cost-cutting drive.
A BBC spokesman confirmed that because of the economic downturn the money the corporation paid to talent would be reduced when their contracts came up for renewal and that "those on the highest fees will be most affected by market conditions".

"Whilst it's true to say that we are, of course, honouring existing contracts, our presenters are aware that when contracts fall due for renewal, the fee will be reduced," the spokesman said.

"We hugely value our talented presenters, but the fees we pay are influenced by market conditions, which have clearly changed. Naturally, those on the highest fees will be most affected by market conditions."

The Sun today reported that top BBC TV and radio stars earning more than £100,000 a year were facing 25% pay cuts when their contracts next came up for renewal. This would include Ross, the BBC's highest paid star, who is on a three-year deal thought to be worth £16.9m.

Earlier this week more than 400 senior managers at the BBC were told their salaries would in effect be cut by up to 12% next year as the corporation axes bonuses and freezes pay in a move that will save it £20m.

Mark Thompson, the BBC director general, signalled in early November – immediately after the "Sachsgate" scandal that the era of big money talent deals was over, with the corporation heading for a period of "retrenchment".

In June a BBC Trust report cleared the BBC of overpaying presenters or driving up the market price for big name stars.

In 2006-2007, the BBC paid around £242m for on-screen and on-air talent, representing about 5.6% of its total expenditure, the trust found. About 40 stars on UK TV channels earned more than £1m a year, with about 10 earning more than £2m a year, according to the BBC Trust.

BBC to cut salaries of stars including Jonathan Ross and Jeremy Clarkson | Media | guardian.co.uk

[Detomah]

Good, they are only actors and celebs, their jobs aren't exactly an essential service where their lives are put at risk on a daily basis, the amount they currently get is absolutely rediculous.

The downside and unfortunate knock on effect of this though, is that these people will just swap channels and end up on ITV, Five or Sky, meaning BBC has even less in it's portfolio.

The entire media industry worldwide would have thier salaries adjusted if I had my way. They are all paid way too much and in a lot of cases, for very little effort or ability.

[meow]

im quite happy to see performers get good money, but it seems ridiculous that such a huge amount of money goes to some and not others, just becuase theyve become "popular", although I wouldnt gop out of my way to watch Jonathon Ross hes bearable.

but what gets me is 400 senior managers ? i mean wtf ? what the heck do they do that actually contributes to what we see or hear subtstatialy enough ?

[Puratech]

The only thing i watch on BBC, is news, top gear and very rarely some of the nature programmes. I thought the BBC were on the up really, in terms of quality with big budget presenters, getting things like Heroes over satelite channels.

It sounds fair enough, but im worried that if BBC dont splash out they dont get and they either need to decide to invest all their money on documentaries/news etc or compete in entertainment and blow the budget on a few select popular shows.

I dunno how radio DJs command so much money though, they dont work for that long, the majority of their "set" is just playing music and what little is left over is chatting crap to their collegues. Its not like theres really many rival radio stations with the coverage you get from Radio1 either.

[Harv]

Beeb must have forked out a ton of dosh to reclaim F1 rites I really dunno why they announced this tho as every channel is doing the same. Thats why countdown has changed again. The 400 snr managers though obviously something has to slip there thats 1 to every show isn't it?