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BBC needs to do more to cut OTT presenter costs
By CMU Editorial | Published on Friday 6 February 2009
With the commercial radio sector increasingly bunging junior presenters fifty quid for a three hour show, it’s going to become harder and harder for the BBC to continue throwing thousands a month at its presenters.
And to prove that point, a National Audit Office report, commissioned by BBC regulator the BBC Trust, says the Beeb is spending “significantly” more on presenters than any radio station in the commercial sector.
79% of drive time show budgets and 77% of breakfast show costs went on presenters, which is considerable when you consider the relatively high music royalties the bigger BBC stations have to pay (Radio 4 and 5 excluded, obviously).
The report, which follows that recent confirmation by BBC bosses that it would look to reduce the fees it pays presenters when their contracts come up for renewal, noted that the Corporation was already committed to cutting the costs of its radio programmes, and had already made £11.7 million in savings, beating a target of £11.6 million.
However, it said the Beeb should be more aware of what is being achieved in terms of cost savings in the commercial sector, and apply that to its own radio operations.
BBC Radio boss Tim Davie said this: “I welcome this report and am pleased it recognises the £86m we are already committed to saving. However, there are clearly opportunities to do more and I am determined to increase efficiency while maintaining the unparalleled quality of our programmes”.
