Beeb did big reveal ‘deliberately’ before pay report
THE BBC is facing accusations of “deliberately” announcing the news of a female Doctor Who just days before publishing an annual report that is expected to show its gender pay gap.
Jodie Whittaker was named on Sunday, and the salaries of the biggest BBC stars will be revealed tomorrow.
The BBC insisted the timing was “purely coincidental”. But an industry insider said: “This is deliberate ahead of less positive news for women.” At the weekend, it was reported that the annual report would reveal a gender pay gap among the highest earners.
BBC boss Tony Hall will try to defend the figures, by pointing out that the number of stars earning £150,000 or more has dropped 10% in the past year.
He will also say that in the past four years, 60% of those promoted to earn more than £150,000 have been female. A BBC source said: “We want to have parity by 2020 in terms of male and female cast and presenters, and we are driving towards that.”
Mr Hall also insists the corporation pays “significantly less” than the commercial channels.
The BBC source said: “What Gary Lineker earns at the BBC compared to what he earns over at BT Sport are different universes.”