Recent articles
Veteran broadcaster Terry Wogan has launched an astonishing attack on the BBC saying that it is no longer the best in the world.
In an interview to mark his 70th birthday, Wogan told Radio Times: "When I started, people who worked for the BBC knew they weren't earning as much as people in commercial television, but they did have the satisfaction of knowing that they worked for one of the finest, if not the finest, broadcasting organisation in the whole world.
"I'm not sure they feel that any more, or at least that it means as much as it used to."
He also revealed that when he sent in his first audition tape he had forgotten to rewind it and says if he had tried to join today he would not be guaranteed a job:
"I can tell you, if I was a young chap coming over from Ireland today, they probably wouldn't even listen to my tape, let alone rewind it.
"Somehow, that old-fashioned thoroughness and commitment have disappeared. I suppose no one has the time for it anymore."
The presenter, who reportedly earns £800k a year, also gave his strongest hint yet that he will no longer present Eurovision due to the political nature of the voting. He said: "I've had so much fun, but I think it's time for someone else to take over."
Do you agree with Wogan's comments? Is the BBC no longer a world class broadcaster? Let us know what you think...
Comment on this article
Please sign in to add your comments.
User comments
i agree with wogan people are in it for money not the work or commitment we will never win eurovision again i have enjoyed wogans comments but its a laugh now i sit there and scream at the tv they like our handouts but not our people Terry your doing the right thing by dropping out YOU have been great but your best to get out of the show like all those who have left the country for the same reason.
Posted by: ann.munday on Tue Aug 12 08:59PM | Report abuseWhen you get knighted for being just a DJ, Wogan, Ross, and one with a big gob, and the other a yob then it says it all. Two clowns who are laughting all the way to the bank at our expence.After charging for Children in need, it shows who he is. Still I am grateful that radios still have an ON and OFF switch then at least I dont have to listen to them. Once I did listen to the crap from them two and said it could only happen in England. Boot them both out and make them work for a living. God help the BBC R.Golding
Posted by: raymond.golding on Tue Aug 12 09:14PM | Report abuseLeave him alone. Terry is only making a general comment about the way the way the whole of society has changed. An innocent comment has been blown out all proportion, yet again, by the media. YES, the BBC is not what it used to be but then what is. It does need to try harder, as do all broadcasting companies. We all find it harder to get employment these days, it is a dog eat dog world now. If Terry is fortunate,and I know he knows he is, to be in the right place at the right time then good luck to him. As far as I am concerned he is the only thing in the BBC worth paying a licence fee for! A VERY ANGRY TOG
Posted by: d_mac_ince on Tue Aug 12 09:24PM | Report abuseGood on you SIR TERRY for having the guts to speak out. If it wasn't for Terry's rye look on life the Eurovision would have left these shore years ago. Just who says that he earns £800k a years? What a load of tosh!! I'm laughing with you Terry @#$%
Posted by: d_mac_ince on Tue Aug 12 09:31PM | Report abuseThe BBC hasn't been the best for years. They spend far too much money on stupid things, like sending about 100 people to the Olympics in 2004. Instead of putting the money into making new and better shows. Its really bad that a lot of people I know think that BBC3 is the best of the BBC channels. I think that your main channel really should be classed as the best.
Posted by: mariamurphy99 on Tue Aug 12 10:03PM | Report abuseDB
Posted by: neveyre on Tue Aug 12 10:38PM | Report abuseI AGREE WITH SIR TERRY IF THE BBC HAD ADVERTISMENT'S AND DONE A WAY WITH THE LICENCE AND MADE MORE UP TO DATE PROGRAMS THEN PEOPLE WOULD TUNE IN MORE.THE QUALITY OF PROGRAMS AT THE PRECENT IS UN JUSTAFIABLE FOR US TO PAY FOR SOME OF THE RUBISH ON ALL BBC CHANNELS AT THE MOMENT
Posted by: willymason on Tue Aug 12 10:39PM | Report abuseThe B.B.C still steal the cost of the Licence fee from us to keep hordes of Guardian readers in work [sic] lets remove that, and let them fight for their lives out in the real world.... wouldn't last long methinks.....
Posted by: neveyre on Tue Aug 12 10:41PM | Report abuseTerry, you are right. I have sent cds for audition to London, Manchester, Dumfries, Glasgow, Edinburg and Glasow. Not having a reply, I again sent them to the same addresses but, I am still living in hope. Now, thanks to CD Baby, in such a short space of time, my CD will be heard all over the world.
Posted by: david.letty on Tue Aug 12 10:53PM | Report abuseThe BBC is great & the licence fee is a very small price to pay for such quality across so many platforms. Some of the top rated satellite shows now have 4 minutes of advertising for every 7 minutes of program, rendering them virtually unwatchable in my opinion. Please God let the Beeb never be forced to accept advertising! The BBC radio content is vastly superior to anything else out there. I do not think it an exaggeration to say that my life has been enriched by Radio 1 (though I do have some concerns about the suitability of some of the current presenters) and I am also a great fan of Radio 5. The web content of the BBC is also second to none, especially in areas such as News, Sport & Community. I cannot believe the voracity of some of the negative opinion on here and would say to those posters that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone..................
Posted by: barry.jenner2 on Tue Aug 12 10:58PM | Report abuse