Post by Teddy Bear on Sept 15, 2015 19:38:26 GMT
Frankly I can't think of any whom the BBC call a celebrity nowadays that I would consider worth even a 6 figure salary let alone 7. Most of them I usually avoid watching, but I can understand that other members of the public might be entertained by them.
Strange that whenever you watch a Celebrity Quiz of general knowledge, all the questions have to be noticeably dumbed down for them to succeed in any way. Shows that the BBC hierarchy know what the real worth of a celebrity truly is.
Strange that whenever you watch a Celebrity Quiz of general knowledge, all the questions have to be noticeably dumbed down for them to succeed in any way. Shows that the BBC hierarchy know what the real worth of a celebrity truly is.
BBC bosses accused of living in 'fantasy land' after claiming celebrity salaries of up to £1million a year are CHEAP
By Tom McTague, Deputy Political Editor for MailOnline
BBC bosses were accused of living in 'fantasy land' today after claiming six-figure salaries paid to scores of celebrities and executives were cheap.
The corporation's annual report revealed more than 100 stars at the BBC earned over £150,000 - more than the Prime Minister - while nine celebrities were paid between £500,000 and £1million.
The accounts also showed that 74 BBC senior managers were paid £160,000 or more last year, up from 66 the previous year.
But Anne Bulford, the BBC's managing director of finance and operations, told MPs senior managers' salaries were 'discounted' compared to rival channels.
She told the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee: 'I think these are salaries that are high compared to average earnings, which they are.'
But she insisted they are 'heavily discounted against equivalent roles in other organisations'.
SNP committee member John Nicolson said a lot of BBC staff 'pinch themselves at how much they are paid'. He accused the corporation of being a 'cosy club' which pays its members 'a lot of money'.
He said: 'You think a salary of £450,000 is discounted? This is fantasy land. I think you'll find the average licence fee payer shocked by that.'
But James Purnell, the former Labour Culture Secretary, defended the salaries paid by the corporation.
Mr Purnell, who is reported to earn around £300,000 a year, said: 'Relative to people running media organisations, it is very significantly discounted if you compare it to people running Sky or even Channel 4.
'For licence fee payers, the argument we would want to make is the BBC is to be judged on the quality of its output.'
Lord Hall, the director general of the BBC, meanwhile defended the role played by controversial executive Danny Cohen in organised a string of celebrities to sign an open letter to David Cameron against government reforms.
Mr Cohen, the BBC's director of television, faced calls to resign over allegations he had a hand in orchestrating a letter signed by Dame Judi Dench and Daniel Craig arguing that plans to reform the BBC would damage Britain.
Some 29 stars including JK Rowling and Sir David Attenborough also backed the letter, which warned that a 'diminished BBC would simply mean a diminished Britain'.
Questioned about it by MPs, Lord Hall, the director general of the BBC, said they had been 'inundated' with offers by stars to go public in their backing of the broadcaster.
- BBC accounts reveal scale of salaries paid to celebrities and executives
- More than 100 stars earn over £150,000 - more than the Prime Minister
- Some 74 senior managers at the corporation are paid £160,000 or more
- In the last year nine celebrities were paid between £500,000 and £1million
By Tom McTague, Deputy Political Editor for MailOnline
BBC bosses were accused of living in 'fantasy land' today after claiming six-figure salaries paid to scores of celebrities and executives were cheap.
The corporation's annual report revealed more than 100 stars at the BBC earned over £150,000 - more than the Prime Minister - while nine celebrities were paid between £500,000 and £1million.
The accounts also showed that 74 BBC senior managers were paid £160,000 or more last year, up from 66 the previous year.
But Anne Bulford, the BBC's managing director of finance and operations, told MPs senior managers' salaries were 'discounted' compared to rival channels.
She told the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee: 'I think these are salaries that are high compared to average earnings, which they are.'
But she insisted they are 'heavily discounted against equivalent roles in other organisations'.
SNP committee member John Nicolson said a lot of BBC staff 'pinch themselves at how much they are paid'. He accused the corporation of being a 'cosy club' which pays its members 'a lot of money'.
He said: 'You think a salary of £450,000 is discounted? This is fantasy land. I think you'll find the average licence fee payer shocked by that.'
But James Purnell, the former Labour Culture Secretary, defended the salaries paid by the corporation.
Mr Purnell, who is reported to earn around £300,000 a year, said: 'Relative to people running media organisations, it is very significantly discounted if you compare it to people running Sky or even Channel 4.
'For licence fee payers, the argument we would want to make is the BBC is to be judged on the quality of its output.'
Lord Hall, the director general of the BBC, meanwhile defended the role played by controversial executive Danny Cohen in organised a string of celebrities to sign an open letter to David Cameron against government reforms.
Mr Cohen, the BBC's director of television, faced calls to resign over allegations he had a hand in orchestrating a letter signed by Dame Judi Dench and Daniel Craig arguing that plans to reform the BBC would damage Britain.
Some 29 stars including JK Rowling and Sir David Attenborough also backed the letter, which warned that a 'diminished BBC would simply mean a diminished Britain'.
Questioned about it by MPs, Lord Hall, the director general of the BBC, said they had been 'inundated' with offers by stars to go public in their backing of the broadcaster.
BBC EXECUTIVE DANNY COHEN 'WAS INVOLVED' IN CELEBRITY LETTER AGAINST GOVERNMENT REFORMS, CORPORATION CHIEF ADMITS
BBC director general Lord Hall defended BBC exec Danny Cohen in Parliament today
BBC director general Lord Hall defended BBC exec Danny Cohen in Parliament today
BBC chief Lord Hall today defended the role of a controversial executive over his role organising a string of celebrities to sign an open letter against government reforms.
Danny Cohen, the BBC's director of television, faced calls to resign over allegations he had a hand in orchestrating a letter signed by Dame Judi Dench and Daniel Craig arguing that plans to reform the BBC would damage Britain.
Some 29 stars including JK Rowling and Sir David Attenborough also backed the letter, which warned that a 'diminished BBC would simply mean a diminished Britain'.
But one of the signatories, Radio 1's Annie Nightingale, said she had not read the letter and had been encouraged to put her name to it by her boss, who told her it was organised by Mr Cohen.
Questioned about it by MPs, Lord Hall, the director general of the BBC, said they had been 'inundated' with offers by stars to go public in their backing of the broadcaster.
Chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee Jesse Norman asked Lord Hall: 'In July it was reported that one of your senior team Danny Cohen has been involved in lobbying stars to support a letter in favour of the BBC. Is this true?'
The director general replied: 'He was involved. But the people who wanted to say what they said were the people whose voices counted.
'I don't want to be unhelpful here, but it's odd that people who want to support the BBC and the BBC they believe in and support, have been told they shouldn't be doing that. A lot of people want to support the BBC.'
He said that for months a 'wide variety of artists' offered to go public in their support for the corporation.
And he rebutted suggestions that Mr Cohen may have broken BBC editorial rules through his involvement, explaining that 'we are allowed to speak about the BBC'.
Mr Norman said the intervention amounted to getting 'well known, much-loved national names' to pledge their support for the BBC.
The letter came as the future of the BBC, the licence fee and its breadth of programming is facing fundamental reform in light of cuts.
But Mr Norman said: 'This is a direct attempt by proxy to influence a Government initiative and it includes a senior person on your team and another senior person which suggests an element of systemic involvement.
'I'm asking you why you don't agree with that and why you haven't had an inquiry.'
He asked Lord Hall to write to the select committee and explain exactly who at the BBC was involved in organising the letter and whether they investigated the matter.
Rona Fairhead, chairwoman of the BBC Trust, said there was a 'clear exemption' which meant the BBC could lobby on broadcasting issues.
BBC director general Lord Hall defended BBC exec Danny Cohen in Parliament today
BBC director general Lord Hall defended BBC exec Danny Cohen in Parliament today
BBC chief Lord Hall today defended the role of a controversial executive over his role organising a string of celebrities to sign an open letter against government reforms.
Danny Cohen, the BBC's director of television, faced calls to resign over allegations he had a hand in orchestrating a letter signed by Dame Judi Dench and Daniel Craig arguing that plans to reform the BBC would damage Britain.
Some 29 stars including JK Rowling and Sir David Attenborough also backed the letter, which warned that a 'diminished BBC would simply mean a diminished Britain'.
But one of the signatories, Radio 1's Annie Nightingale, said she had not read the letter and had been encouraged to put her name to it by her boss, who told her it was organised by Mr Cohen.
Questioned about it by MPs, Lord Hall, the director general of the BBC, said they had been 'inundated' with offers by stars to go public in their backing of the broadcaster.
Chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee Jesse Norman asked Lord Hall: 'In July it was reported that one of your senior team Danny Cohen has been involved in lobbying stars to support a letter in favour of the BBC. Is this true?'
The director general replied: 'He was involved. But the people who wanted to say what they said were the people whose voices counted.
'I don't want to be unhelpful here, but it's odd that people who want to support the BBC and the BBC they believe in and support, have been told they shouldn't be doing that. A lot of people want to support the BBC.'
He said that for months a 'wide variety of artists' offered to go public in their support for the corporation.
And he rebutted suggestions that Mr Cohen may have broken BBC editorial rules through his involvement, explaining that 'we are allowed to speak about the BBC'.
Mr Norman said the intervention amounted to getting 'well known, much-loved national names' to pledge their support for the BBC.
The letter came as the future of the BBC, the licence fee and its breadth of programming is facing fundamental reform in light of cuts.
But Mr Norman said: 'This is a direct attempt by proxy to influence a Government initiative and it includes a senior person on your team and another senior person which suggests an element of systemic involvement.
'I'm asking you why you don't agree with that and why you haven't had an inquiry.'
He asked Lord Hall to write to the select committee and explain exactly who at the BBC was involved in organising the letter and whether they investigated the matter.
Rona Fairhead, chairwoman of the BBC Trust, said there was a 'clear exemption' which meant the BBC could lobby on broadcasting issues.