This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8505392.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
BBC reveals total performer pay BBC reveals total performer pay
(30 minutes later)
The BBC has revealed the total amount it paid to its performers who broadcast on radio and television.The BBC has revealed the total amount it paid to its performers who broadcast on radio and television.
The corporation paid £229m to artists, presenters, musicians and other contributors for the year up to March 2009 - 6.56% of the licence fee.The corporation paid £229m to artists, presenters, musicians and other contributors for the year up to March 2009 - 6.56% of the licence fee.
Of that figure, £70m went to the top earners whose salaries topped £100,000.Of that figure, £70m went to the top earners whose salaries topped £100,000.
The BBC has not disclosed individual salaries, saying they are commercially confidential, despite continued pressure from MPs.The BBC has not disclosed individual salaries, saying they are commercially confidential, despite continued pressure from MPs.
There were around 300,000 contracts signed with performers, the majority of which were under £1,000.There were around 300,000 contracts signed with performers, the majority of which were under £1,000.
"Artists, presenters, musicians and other contributors are central to the BBC's ability to deliver high quality and distinctive programming and we know that audiences expect to see and hear them on BBC programmes," said Caroline Thomson, the BBC's chief operating officer."Artists, presenters, musicians and other contributors are central to the BBC's ability to deliver high quality and distinctive programming and we know that audiences expect to see and hear them on BBC programmes," said Caroline Thomson, the BBC's chief operating officer.
"The BBC engages some of the greatest performers in the world across television and radio, and also nurtures and develops people that will be at the heart of our programmes in the future. They add to the credibility, expertise and creativity of the BBC.""The BBC engages some of the greatest performers in the world across television and radio, and also nurtures and develops people that will be at the heart of our programmes in the future. They add to the credibility, expertise and creativity of the BBC."
Gifts and hospitality
The total amount paid by the BBC to artists, presenters, musicians and other contributors will now be published each year in its annual report.The total amount paid by the BBC to artists, presenters, musicians and other contributors will now be published each year in its annual report.
Politicians of all parties had urged the corporation to reveal what it pays its stars, and cut what it pays its managers.Politicians of all parties had urged the corporation to reveal what it pays its stars, and cut what it pays its managers.
The BBC's pay scheme has been under close scrutiny
Many performers have taken a pay cut, top executives' pay has been published and frozen, and bonuses have been withdrawn.Many performers have taken a pay cut, top executives' pay has been published and frozen, and bonuses have been withdrawn.
The news comes as the BBC also published the business-related expenses of its 107 most senior decision-makers for the period July to September 2009. It had previously published expense claims for the previous quarter.The news comes as the BBC also published the business-related expenses of its 107 most senior decision-makers for the period July to September 2009. It had previously published expense claims for the previous quarter.
For the first time, the BBC has also published details of the gifts and hospitality the senior managers declared covering the period April to September 2009.For the first time, the BBC has also published details of the gifts and hospitality the senior managers declared covering the period April to September 2009.
BBC director general Mark Thompson declared that he attended the British Grand Prix with his son as guests of Formula One.
He was also given a digital camera from Panasonic as part of a visit to Korea and Japan, which he donated to Children In Need.
However, the majority of senior managers did not declare any gifts or hospitality.
Meanwhile, the BBC has also agreed to reveal licence fee-funded payments to some of its leading sports presenters to a House of Commons spending watchdog but not to the public.
Jeremy Peat, a BBC trustee, said he would provide a breakdown of the costs for major events in confidence to the Public Accounts Committee.