Post by Teddy Bear on Jul 5, 2010 23:28:08 GMT
While you're reading the following article, just contemplate how much the boss of BBC 'rewards himself and others of the hierarchy of this disgusting organisation.
Trust slams 'formulaic' BBC1 as bosses enjoy pay rise - despite financial crisis
By Liz Thomas and Paul Revoir
TV audiences are infuriated at the lack of ‘fresh and new’ shows on BBC1, according to a report by the BBC Trust.
The corporation’s governing body called for more 'ambitious and distinctive' programming and for it to offer a better range of output in peak time such as more original drama and comedy.
The number of ‘unique’ shows between 7pm and 9pm have fallen by around half since 2005.
Switching off: The BBC Trust has expressed frustration with the lack of creative new shows in the 7-9pm time slot, which is dominated by reality programmes such as Masterchef
Switching off: The BBC Trust has expressed frustration with the lack of creative new shows in the 7-9pm time slot on BBC1, which is dominated by reality programmes such as Masterchef
The One Show, Panorama and EastEnders and Holby City are staple features in the early evening.
But the rest of that part of the schedule is dominated by reality programming such as Masterchef, DIY SOS, Rogue Traders, Traffic Cops and Fake Britain.
The trust said: ‘The biggest single issue for audiences is that there is not programming which is 'fresh and new' to meet their expectations.
‘Our analysis shows that the range of output on BBC1 has decreased in recent years between 7pm and 9pm.
‘BBC1 should increase the variety of programming in pre-watershed peak time and show greater creative and editorial ambition at 9pm.’
PAY FOR BBC BOSSES
Mark Thompson, BBC Director General
2009-10 remuneration: Up £4,000 to £838,000
Jana Bennett, BBC Vision Director
09-10 remuneration: Up £2,000 to £517,000
Mark Byford, Deputy Director General
09-10 remuneration: Up £3,000 to £488,000
Caroline Thomson, chief operating officer
09-10 remuneration: Up £6,000 to £419,000
The trust was critical too of BBC2 and BBC4, which are perceived as so called ‘high brow channels’ but it warned were not sufficiently different to each other or BBC1.
The report stated: ‘BBC2 should implement its plans in factual, drama and comedy, to distinguish itself from BBC1 even at the risk of reaching fewer viewers.’
It also said: ‘Audiences have told us that BBC2 needs to provide a ‘clearer alternative’ [to the main channel].
The Trust also pointed out flaws in daytime programming, which it said was harming the BBC's reputation.
Although it shied away from naming particular programmes, the criticism puts the spotlight on titles like Homes Under The Hammer, Cash In The Attic and Bargain Hunt.
The shows are a staple of the daytime schedule, broadcast on BBC1 every weekday before 1pm.
'Viewers believe parts of the schedule on each channel lack quality and have become too weighted towards long-running factual entertainment strands with similar formats and covering similar subject areas, characterised as 'collectibles hunting' and property,' the Trust said.
'While these programmes are popular, audiences have told us that the quantity of these programmes have made some parts of the BBC's daytime schedule seem too formulaic and derivative.'
The criticism from the Trust came as the BBC's annual report revealed that the salaries of top executives increased last year despite a pledge to reduce their annual pay over the coming years.
Total remuneration for the BBC Executive board went up in 2009-10 to £4.769million from £4.601million in 2008-09.
BBC Director General Mark Thompson's pay increased by £4,000 to £838,000, while total talent pay - an issue which has caused much controversy in recent years - went down.
But the BBC said the increase was due to the fact the annual report figures still reflect the rise paid in August 2008 - before pay was frozen and bonuses suspended in January 2009.
Salary boost: BBC's Director General Mark Thompson and BBC Vision Director Jana Bennett enjoyed pay rises last year, despite the corporation pledging to limit increases
In addition to pensions, the BBC's executive directors benefit from a car, fuel allowance, private health insurance and life insurance. The Director General and his deputy are entitled to a chauffeur driven car.
In terms of BBC talent, in 2009-10, a total of £52.2million was spent on salaries above £150,000, down from £54.4 million in 2008-09.
Total talent costs dropped by around £7million from £229.2million to £221.5million.
Senior management numbers were reduced slightly from 618 in 2008-09 to 614 in 09/10, and the BBC said the number of senior managers at the Corporation will continue to shrink.
Since the table was published, number has fallen further to 599.
Overall the number of BBC staff increased slightly from 17,078 to 17,238.
Mr Thompson said of today's figures: 'BBC pay for all staff is set August to August. And what you've got is that in this BBC financial year you've got three months at the beginning of the year which were reflecting a year-on-year increase made previously, so you have to go back to the summer of 2008.'
He said pay has been frozen and added: 'Crucially, it's going to be frozen until 2013. You'll also note that the bonuses have been suspended.
'The executive board as a whole, the executive directors and non executive directors, have volunteered to forgo a month's pay this year and next year.'
He continued: 'From now on what you're going to see is an absolute freezing of basic pay and the continued suspension of bonuses.
He said that in real terms executive directors' pay would come down in 2012-13 by around 20 per cent.
BBC Trust Chairman Sir Michael Lyons said: 'This is the year when the BBC decided to do things differently in terms of top pay.
'You can't look at this year and say: 'There's the evidence that you're not doing it'.
'That's why we've been at such pains to say you have to look at the more recent figures to see the full effect of that beginning to bite.'
By Liz Thomas and Paul Revoir
TV audiences are infuriated at the lack of ‘fresh and new’ shows on BBC1, according to a report by the BBC Trust.
The corporation’s governing body called for more 'ambitious and distinctive' programming and for it to offer a better range of output in peak time such as more original drama and comedy.
The number of ‘unique’ shows between 7pm and 9pm have fallen by around half since 2005.
Switching off: The BBC Trust has expressed frustration with the lack of creative new shows in the 7-9pm time slot, which is dominated by reality programmes such as Masterchef
Switching off: The BBC Trust has expressed frustration with the lack of creative new shows in the 7-9pm time slot on BBC1, which is dominated by reality programmes such as Masterchef
The One Show, Panorama and EastEnders and Holby City are staple features in the early evening.
But the rest of that part of the schedule is dominated by reality programming such as Masterchef, DIY SOS, Rogue Traders, Traffic Cops and Fake Britain.
The trust said: ‘The biggest single issue for audiences is that there is not programming which is 'fresh and new' to meet their expectations.
‘Our analysis shows that the range of output on BBC1 has decreased in recent years between 7pm and 9pm.
‘BBC1 should increase the variety of programming in pre-watershed peak time and show greater creative and editorial ambition at 9pm.’
PAY FOR BBC BOSSES
Mark Thompson, BBC Director General
2009-10 remuneration: Up £4,000 to £838,000
Jana Bennett, BBC Vision Director
09-10 remuneration: Up £2,000 to £517,000
Mark Byford, Deputy Director General
09-10 remuneration: Up £3,000 to £488,000
Caroline Thomson, chief operating officer
09-10 remuneration: Up £6,000 to £419,000
The trust was critical too of BBC2 and BBC4, which are perceived as so called ‘high brow channels’ but it warned were not sufficiently different to each other or BBC1.
The report stated: ‘BBC2 should implement its plans in factual, drama and comedy, to distinguish itself from BBC1 even at the risk of reaching fewer viewers.’
It also said: ‘Audiences have told us that BBC2 needs to provide a ‘clearer alternative’ [to the main channel].
The Trust also pointed out flaws in daytime programming, which it said was harming the BBC's reputation.
Although it shied away from naming particular programmes, the criticism puts the spotlight on titles like Homes Under The Hammer, Cash In The Attic and Bargain Hunt.
The shows are a staple of the daytime schedule, broadcast on BBC1 every weekday before 1pm.
'Viewers believe parts of the schedule on each channel lack quality and have become too weighted towards long-running factual entertainment strands with similar formats and covering similar subject areas, characterised as 'collectibles hunting' and property,' the Trust said.
'While these programmes are popular, audiences have told us that the quantity of these programmes have made some parts of the BBC's daytime schedule seem too formulaic and derivative.'
The criticism from the Trust came as the BBC's annual report revealed that the salaries of top executives increased last year despite a pledge to reduce their annual pay over the coming years.
Total remuneration for the BBC Executive board went up in 2009-10 to £4.769million from £4.601million in 2008-09.
BBC Director General Mark Thompson's pay increased by £4,000 to £838,000, while total talent pay - an issue which has caused much controversy in recent years - went down.
But the BBC said the increase was due to the fact the annual report figures still reflect the rise paid in August 2008 - before pay was frozen and bonuses suspended in January 2009.
Salary boost: BBC's Director General Mark Thompson and BBC Vision Director Jana Bennett enjoyed pay rises last year, despite the corporation pledging to limit increases
In addition to pensions, the BBC's executive directors benefit from a car, fuel allowance, private health insurance and life insurance. The Director General and his deputy are entitled to a chauffeur driven car.
In terms of BBC talent, in 2009-10, a total of £52.2million was spent on salaries above £150,000, down from £54.4 million in 2008-09.
Total talent costs dropped by around £7million from £229.2million to £221.5million.
Senior management numbers were reduced slightly from 618 in 2008-09 to 614 in 09/10, and the BBC said the number of senior managers at the Corporation will continue to shrink.
Since the table was published, number has fallen further to 599.
Overall the number of BBC staff increased slightly from 17,078 to 17,238.
Mr Thompson said of today's figures: 'BBC pay for all staff is set August to August. And what you've got is that in this BBC financial year you've got three months at the beginning of the year which were reflecting a year-on-year increase made previously, so you have to go back to the summer of 2008.'
He said pay has been frozen and added: 'Crucially, it's going to be frozen until 2013. You'll also note that the bonuses have been suspended.
'The executive board as a whole, the executive directors and non executive directors, have volunteered to forgo a month's pay this year and next year.'
He continued: 'From now on what you're going to see is an absolute freezing of basic pay and the continued suspension of bonuses.
He said that in real terms executive directors' pay would come down in 2012-13 by around 20 per cent.
BBC Trust Chairman Sir Michael Lyons said: 'This is the year when the BBC decided to do things differently in terms of top pay.
'You can't look at this year and say: 'There's the evidence that you're not doing it'.
'That's why we've been at such pains to say you have to look at the more recent figures to see the full effect of that beginning to bite.'