BBC forced to disclose salaries of top-earning stars
LONDON — The publicly funded BBC was forced to publish the names and salaries of its highest-earning actors and presenters Wednesday, unleashing a national debate about fame, gender, race and the use of taxpayers’ money.
The list shows that the BBC pays 96 on-air personalities at least 150,000 pounds ($195,000) a year — meaning most earn more than the prime minister, who gets 150,000 pounds.
The broadcaster’s best-paid star, radio host Chris Evans, earns more than 2.2 million pounds ($2.9 million).
The BBC was compelled by Britain’s government to publish the salaries of on-air talent, which had previously been secret. The information is sensitive because the BBC is funded directly by taxpayers, through a 147-pound (about $190) annual levy on every household that owns a television or watches the BBC online.