Straight Edge
04-19-2006, 05:05 PM
The BBC is probing how the alleged salaries of some of its biggest stars made their way into the public domain.
They have been leaks surrounding both Radio 1 and 2 DJs, with Terry Wogan reportedly Radio 2's highest earner with an £800,000 salary.
Jeremy Paxman is the latest presenter to have his reported salary revealed, with the Sun suggesting he is paid £240,000 for University Challenge.
The BBC said it looking into how the figures reached the press.
A BBC spokeswoman refused to comment on individual salaries, and added it did not yet know where the information had come from.
"But we are concerned that it has made its way into the public domain and we are looking into that," she said.
Commercial radio stations have called for more financial accountability for the BBC.
The Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA) wants the corporation to be more open about it what it pays in salaries.
"You have to ask to what extent is the money going on what the BBC is supposed to be delivering on, its public service remit?" said the CRCA's David McConnell.
"If these figures are right, the BBC is able to offer packages which make it difficult for commercial radio to compete."
The Daily Mirror reported Chris Evans will earn £540,000 as he takes over from Johnnie Walker as host of Radio 2's Drivetime show.
Jonathan Ross is said to be paid £530,000 for his three-hour Saturday show on Radio 2.
The Sun has already printed what it believes are the salaries of Radio 1 presenters, including Chris Moyles who gets a reported £630,000 for his breakfast show. Sara Cox is reportedly paid £200,000 for her weekend shows.
The Sun has also published what it believed were the salaries of stars working on EastEnders.
REPORTED SALARIES
Terry Wogan (Radio 2) -
£800,000
Chris Moyles (Radio 1)-
£630,000
Chris Evans (Radio 2) -
£540,000
Jonathan Ross (Radio 2) -
£530,000
Steve Wright (Radio 2) -
£440,000
Jo Whiley (Radio 1) -
£250,000
Ken Bruce (Radio 2) -
£194,000
They have been leaks surrounding both Radio 1 and 2 DJs, with Terry Wogan reportedly Radio 2's highest earner with an £800,000 salary.
Jeremy Paxman is the latest presenter to have his reported salary revealed, with the Sun suggesting he is paid £240,000 for University Challenge.
The BBC said it looking into how the figures reached the press.
A BBC spokeswoman refused to comment on individual salaries, and added it did not yet know where the information had come from.
"But we are concerned that it has made its way into the public domain and we are looking into that," she said.
Commercial radio stations have called for more financial accountability for the BBC.
The Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA) wants the corporation to be more open about it what it pays in salaries.
"You have to ask to what extent is the money going on what the BBC is supposed to be delivering on, its public service remit?" said the CRCA's David McConnell.
"If these figures are right, the BBC is able to offer packages which make it difficult for commercial radio to compete."
The Daily Mirror reported Chris Evans will earn £540,000 as he takes over from Johnnie Walker as host of Radio 2's Drivetime show.
Jonathan Ross is said to be paid £530,000 for his three-hour Saturday show on Radio 2.
The Sun has already printed what it believes are the salaries of Radio 1 presenters, including Chris Moyles who gets a reported £630,000 for his breakfast show. Sara Cox is reportedly paid £200,000 for her weekend shows.
The Sun has also published what it believed were the salaries of stars working on EastEnders.
REPORTED SALARIES
Terry Wogan (Radio 2) -
£800,000
Chris Moyles (Radio 1)-
£630,000
Chris Evans (Radio 2) -
£540,000
Jonathan Ross (Radio 2) -
£530,000
Steve Wright (Radio 2) -
£440,000
Jo Whiley (Radio 1) -
£250,000
Ken Bruce (Radio 2) -
£194,000