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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

The BBC director general, Mark Thompson, is to address the issue of talent salaries at a meeting with presenters next Wednesday.

Following a lower-than-expected licence fee and the publicity over the pay of stars such as Jonathan Ross, Mr Thompson is expected to tell key talent that there will be less money available for them.

According to sources, more than 100 of the BBC's top stars have been invited to the meeting, which it is understood will be held in London. However, some key faces are not expected to attend.

With cuts due to be announced next week, the BBC faces a tough time trying to keep some of its top talent.

Rivals including ITV, Channel 4, Channel Five and commercial radio stations are looking to cash in on the lean times expected at the BBC.

Last week, Six O'clock News presenter Natasha Kaplinsky announced she is moving to Five News to replace Kirsty Young.

A number of the BBC's other leading presenters are coming up for contract negotiations.

The BBC came under fire last year after a series of embarrassing leaks about how much it pays its star presenters including Terry Wogan and Chris Evans on Radio 2, as well as Newsnight host Jeremy Paxman.

In addition, Ross became the highest-paid presenter in British broadcasting history with a three-year deal worth around £18m. It is thought his contract will not be renewed on the same terms when it ends.

Last year, the then-culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, warned the BBC that it risked undermining its bid for a higher licence fee because of bumper salaries it was paying top stars.

Ms Jowell said she was looking closely at the extent to which the wage bill contributed to the corporation's request for above-inflation increases.

The BBC Trust has also been looking at the issue of "talent inflation" in the UK TV market and whether or not the corporation contributes to it.

A BBC spokeswoman said she could not confirm whether a meeting between Mr Thompson and talent was taking place but added: "Of course Mark has meetings with a range of people as part of his discussions linked to reprioritisation."

Mr Thompson has also emailed BBC staff to tell them he will be addressing them about the latest round of cuts at 10am next Thursday, October 18, in a session hosted by Newsnight's Gavin Esler at Studio 8 in BBC Television Centre.

In the email, he told staff to "disregard" reports about the level of cuts as, "until the trust have met and made their decisions there is no way that anyone can report accurately on our plans".

Mr Thompson will be speaking to BBC staff the day after he meets with the BBC Trust to finalise the corporation's cost cutting plans.

http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,2189047,00.html

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

I'd struggle to name "more than 100 of the BBC's top stars".. Laughing

Toggy tea slurper · Guest

It's a bit pots and kettles though isn't it? I wouldn't imagine Mark struggles to make ends meet on his wage Laughing

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Will that mean a lot of them will lose their money at the end of the meeting? I doubt it as some are still under contract with likes of Wossy.

Toggy tea slurper · Guest

I doubt it, it will probably be some poor devil getting paid £20,000 a year who gets the boot instead Rolling Eyes

firewirefred · Guest