BBC Directors to Forego Bonuses for 2009

LONDON, November 21: The
BBC Trust's chairman, Sir Michael Lyons, revealed that due to the worsening
economic conditions, the BBC's executive board has agreed to go without their
bonuses for 2009.

Speaking at a press
conference in London, Lyons said: "The BBC is not immune to the financial
pressures facing all industries and all license-fee payers. The director-general is
currently reviewing his original six-year financial strategy, and the Trust is
discussing with him what changes might be necessary. We will have more to say
about this early in the new year."

Lyons continued: "In the light of the financial challenges
facing the BBC we asked the remuneration committee of the BBC executives about
whether it was appropriate to pay bonuses given the financial environment.

"All of
those who have an entitlement to a bonus in 2009 have agreed to waive
them."

The
announcement comes after the public broadcaster's director-general, Mark
Thompson, last
week sent an email to all staff that called for additional savings across the group in
order to cope with a £140 million shortfall in finances over the next five
years.

Thompson has
waived his bonus for the past four years, and last year, the other members of
the BBC executive board also declined their bonuses. However, for 2007/2008,
nine senior executive colleagues opted to take theirs.

—By Kristin Brzoznowski