The cost to the BBC of covering the event, excluding any fee paid to the organisers, is estimated to be £1.5 million.
The BBC confirmed that it had sent 27 television and radio presenters fronted by Roadio 1's Jo Whiley and Radio 2's Mark Radcliffe. They were supported by 68 strong editorial team and 160 technicians. A further 18 staff were sent to work on interactive content and employed 130 contractors to provide technical support and security. There were so many on the corporation's payroll that it had to block book hotels within a 10 mile radius of the event.
BBC chiefs attending the festival included Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of the Trust: Mark Byford, the depute DG: Tim Davie, the director of audio and music: Andy Parfitt, the controller of Radio 1 and popular music: Bob Shennan the controller of Radio 2 and 6 music and Alan Yentob, the BBC's creative director. Mr Yentob once hosted a Glastonbury festival reception at his nearby country home, paid for by the licence fee.
Sir Michael, Mr Byford and Mr Yentob were all given free passes to attend the festival in a 'work capacity'.
Tory MP, Philip Davies, a member of the Commons Culture Committee said, "It's yet another example of how the BBC is bloated."
TV audiences for the festival on BBC2, BBC3 and BBC4 reach a fraction of the number achieved by Wimbledon. There were 111 hours of festival coverage across BBC TV channel. That compares with 3,050 hours coverage for Beijing. On radio there were more than 60 hours on 6 Music, Radio 1 and 3 Live.
If I remember rightly only last week the head of the BBC, Mark Thompson, said the corporation gave value for money. He should be the first head to roll.
Source: Scottish Daily Express
Posts
