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
Time to turn it into a commercial station like the others. Then they might get back to reality
Posted by: liamsmith997 on Tue Aug 12 12:58PM | Report abuseI think its time the BBC gave the likes of Wogan the bullett as he is old hat and waffles on about rubbish that even a 5 year old would not do, overpaid and lets be clear about one thing, he is just a disk jockey. I would give him £100,000 Max and shove him on the late night spot on radio 2. The BBC is a light to the world and will always be provided they get rid of idiots
Posted by: raymond.golding on Tue Aug 12 12:59PM | Report abuseyes i agree with terry.
Posted by: sharps2kevin on Tue Aug 12 12:59PM | Report abuseIts the start of the end, I have always been proud of the BBC on my travels abroad. But they continue to dig a hole for themselves. Did you floks know that us lisenses payers are paying for the digital switch over, then in 2012 they have the option of reducing the lisense or to give the surpless money's to I.T.V or other sattelite companys. Its our money folks and they are gonna give it away to other media enterprises.
Posted by: scottearlam on Tue Aug 12 12:59PM | Report abusebbc as gone to the dogs like much of the country with the economics
Posted by: jayenteresa316 on Tue Aug 12 12:59PM | Report abuseI think yer man's hit the nail right on the head!
Posted by: robinjameshoward on Tue Aug 12 12:59PM | Report abuseWhy is everyone who has read this absolutely clueless? Stop being told what he said and read what's there. His comments are referring to the people working for the BBC, not the BBC itself. Yet another "quote" taken out of context. He's saying people don't have the commitment and loyalty anymore to stay with the best when they can get bigger pay packets elsewhere. Jobs don't mean what they used to. That's all he's saying. Mindless journo-droids, the lot of ya.
Posted by: neileighteen on Tue Aug 12 12:59PM | Report abuseDefinitely shows how bad the Eurovision has gone if Wogan is stepping down. He was the only thing that made it interesting!
Posted by: terrissist on Tue Aug 12 12:59PM | Report abuseI agree totally - high standards no longer exist. Attention to detail is sloppy. If I hear one more presenter say "thank you ever so much" I will throw the TV out of the window. I am not talking about regional accents - they are fine. It's sloppy English , pandering to the lowest common denominator rather than raising people's aspirations. Wogan should be the next DG
Posted by: sally_dimmer on Tue Aug 12 12:59PM | Report abuseBBC is Garbage
Posted by: dogjimbean on Tue Aug 12 01:00PM | Report abuse