Revealing BBC stars’ huge wages ‘not in the interest of licence fee payers’, TV controller claims
Charlotte Moore said disclosure could push up talent rates, increasing costs and potentially reducing quality
EXPOSING top BBC stars’ pay is not in the interest of licence fee payers, the controller of its TV channels has said.
The Beeb does not currently reveal salaries for celebs such as Gary Lineker and Graham Norton.
But under plans in the Government’s BBC White Paper it will have to name those earning more than £450,000.
Charlotte Moore told the Edinburgh TV Festival: "We know that our audience expects to have some of the best talent on BBC One.
"Of course we also know we can't pay as much as other broadcasters, that is reality. Of course we can't, but talent enjoy working with us because of the creative freedom and the range of what they can do.
"I genuinely think it's not in the interest of licence fee payers that we do reveal talent fees, I think it will only drive talent fees up.
"We are already very transparent about a lot of the BBC, but talent fees is a difficult one.
"The outcome of it could be talent fees go up if everyone knows what everyone is paid because they will want to be paid that.
“But if the Government and Ofcom regulate we have to, then we will.”
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Moore also praised the BBC's biggest successes such as The Night Manager, Strictly Come Dancing, and The Great British Bake Off at the event.
However she refused to directly respond to reports the BBC could lose the baking show to another broadcaster.
She simply said: "It's safe to say Bake Off tonight is absolutely at the top of its game. It's riveting, with a fantastic cast, and I can't wait for everyone to enjoy it."