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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...
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Whilst I think BBC is the best in the world some of the programs and presenters are either not up to scratch or far to overpayed eg Jonathon Ross. Radio is well represented with a very good variety of programs/presenters and music but television should take stock and produce good quality instead of competing with the trash presented by the comercial rivals.
Posted by: kxm795 on Tue Aug 12 12:40PM | Report abusecome on put your money where your mouth is. We got sick of the rubbish on the TV each night so ditched the TV, yep thats right no TV in this household. Got a computer to watch the DVD's and fill in the rest on the internet. Stop whining, stop paying and go out and find something else to do.
Posted by: kelvin.denize on Tue Aug 12 12:41PM | Report abuseI am a regular listener of mostly Radio4 Today programme, and also the bbc world services. I think theses two programmes excell in their remits and they are the besr being knowledgeable, very thorough and finely tuned and above all very objective in presentation. Need I say more? You are the best in broadcasting, thank you very heartily. Venakt Iyer Basildon 12-8-2008
Posted by: venkat.iyer on Tue Aug 12 12:41PM | Report abuseWell the BBC is still lot better than Sky thats for sure which I think is the real blame for the fall in standards. As for Eurovision I think the UK should pull out, what's the point in taking part in something we can't possabley win, not even if we entered our best singer or group like Coldplay or George Michael! ect
Posted by: richardprizeman on Tue Aug 12 12:42PM | Report abuseIt is a good thing that all T.V is not that as it was. I now have the time to read the many that I wish to.Yours sincerly Spider
Posted by: rasc22928919 on Tue Aug 12 12:42PM | Report abuseYes, I agree with Terry Wogan's comments. In the last 8 years the quality of the BBC has lost its reputation as a quality public service broadcasting network. Public funds seem to be squandered on "no talant" presenters like Jonathan Ross etc, with the execption of some one like Terry Wogan, and the late John Peel, who have talent, humour and are a credit to the BBC. How has the BBC come to this sorry state? I would like your comments on this and have no wish to be fobbed off with "it's what the majority of the public want"!!
Posted by: jamesfinn60 on Tue Aug 12 12:42PM | Report abuseI agree with Terry, the BBC are following in the footsteps of the commercial broadcasters and showing repeats on a regular basis, I wonder if I'll get a refund on my licence fee for stuff I've seen before.... too many times! Its time the licence fee was scrapped and the BBC forced to compete fairly with all the other channels, either that or stop repeating programmes!
Posted by: pete.fryer1 on Tue Aug 12 12:43PM | Report abuseIt's not exactly a slam is it? more of a comment... but I agree with Sir Terry. standards at the BBC have slipped, but then why wouldn't they? Everything else in Britain has gone down the pan. As to Eurovision, it is high time we pulled out of that particular farce. Let the Balkan countries pay for their own mutual admiration society.
Posted by: sissonlb on Tue Aug 12 12:44PM | Report abuseterry is right the bbc is rubbish these days its a con to take our license money. its about time it was disbanded
Posted by: wredrup on Tue Aug 12 12:44PM | Report abuseThe BBC are PC and a bunch of fibbers! Possibly 8/9 years ago I was listening to the world service on a radio and listened to a report allegedly from a female correspondent in Moscow. Two hours later I was in a hotel watching the news on BBC world tv. Here is the same female correspondent allegedly in Moscow anchoring the newsdesk from London - superwoman! Oh and as for Wogan they probably wouldn't listen to your tape as they have learned not to employ rambling useless irishmen, please retire go away and shut up.
Posted by: iansinclair56 on Tue Aug 12 12:45PM | Report abuse