So the BBC are slashing their talent's wages. Anyone that earns over 100 grand will have their fees cut by 20 - 40%.
Just wondering what you all thought of that.
BBC Talent wage cut
I don't think it's unfair considering how much they will still be earning but can almost understand that they may then have problems with keeping up with the large bills they have been used to being able to pay.
Quote: Griff @ July 9 2009, 5:47 PM BSTA 30% pay cut is a lot better than not getting recommissioned. And if they can earn more somewhere else instead, good luck to them.
I would imagine that the top talent would get that elsewhere so it would be interesting to know if some top talent does go.
I just worry more of our great talent will desert the BBC and indeed the country for more lucrative avenues. We all know how much TV stars get paid in America. Simon Cowell wants 144 million for doing American Idol.
Surely being a "star" means being rich too doesn't it? It wouldn't seem right to see the likes of Jonathan Ross shopping for cheap baked beans at Netto.
Well looking at the article I'd do Chris Moyles' show for say half of what he does.
They get a show for half price and they still get a fat bloke with some stubble who can be quite gobby when he wants to.
The way I see it it's a win,win position.
I wonder how much of all this is down to the BBC being genuinely in need of saving cash, or the rampant jealousy of a cash-strapped British public, seething enviously about talented people getting paid much more than they are.
Well there's a reason for that, Mr Public. It's because you work in a pie factory and aren't clever enough to make TV programmes.
Quote: Griff @ July 9 2009, 5:47 PM BSTI don't begrudge the stars their money at all. Most of them are extremely talented and hard working. But surely anybody in this business must be acutely aware that the money could disappear overnight at any moment. A 30% pay cut is a lot better than not getting recommissioned. And if they can earn more somewhere else instead, good luck to them.
Agreed.
Not that they would be able to get better elsewhere, with the finances of ITV etc right now!
All of this cost-cutting at the BBC is a bit bollocks though, really. With the licence fee they're on a pretty much constant, guaranteed income.
Quote: Lee Henman @ July 9 2009, 6:13 PM BSTI wonder how much of all this is down to the BBC being genuinely in need of saving cash, or the rampant jealousy of a cash-strapped British public, seething enviously about talented people getting paid much more than they are.
Well there's a reason for that, Mr Public. It's because you work in a pie factory and aren't clever enough to make TV programmes.
Definitely the latter, and well said.
The BBC don't pay very well anyway to begin with.
It just makes me so annoyed, this culture of "they're getting more than we are". If people aren't wailing about single mothers sponging off society or MPs claiming for toothpaste or celebs being paid lots of dosh, it seems they're not happy.
For f**k's sake, if you want to earn shitloads of cash and live above the herd, how about getting off your big fat arse and making it happen, instead of sat apoplectic with rage, reading the Daily Mail?
And now calm.
Ommmmmm
Mmmm, I've never agreed with the mantra that if you work hard you're earn loads, because it entirely depends on what you do for a living. Some people really f**king hard and will never earn much.
The people I know who've earned the most either do really long, unsociable hours and have stuck at a job a long time, or do a job where that is precarious. As a fashion stylist the pay is good, but you might not always get work.
I know people who do really important jobs in education and healthcare you get paid a pittance and will never be rich, despite their hard work and training.
Bit of a shame. I'm a huge Chris Moyles fan literally and figuratively, and wages of people on TV/radio really don't bother me.
Seems like petty people with an axe to grind.
Quote: Lee Henman @ July 9 2009, 6:46 PM BSTFor f**k's sake, if you want to earn shitloads of cash and live above the herd, how about getting off your big fat arse and making it happen, instead of sat apoplectic with rage, reading the Daily Mail?
it's not about money it's about an ethos of creativity. They are missing this point. The BBC is eating itself. It will be fractionated and drama and talkie show stuff will go indi. Yo.
How much of this 'talent' would really be missed? A huge number of presenters are interchangeable and therefore irreplaceable. Does anyone actually watch a show because David Dimbleby or Kate Humble are going to be on it? Or take Graham Norton, locked into a ridiculous contract, but the Beeb can't actually persuade anyone to watch him in anything - and that has happened so many times before, e.g. Johnny Vaughan.
The Beeb should hire stars to appear in particular shows, and base renumeration on the success of those shows - none of this locked in contract crap.
Well this is proof why freelancing will always suck compared to having proper contracts and rights.
Some cowardly suck up BBC comissioner slashes your salary so no one notices unlike ITV you get paid however good or badly you do. I'd like to know where the money from the savings have gone being as there's no cut in the license fee.
I say public sector workers and BBC talent should call a general strike.
Crap on the street and no crap on the telly.