The BBC unveiled the salaries of its top stars on Wednesday, immediately fueling complaints about gender inequality across the British public broadcaster’s radio and television programming.
The list highlighted the top paid 96 actors, presenters, journalists and panelists who made more than 150,000 pounds, or $195,386 over the past financial year, reported The Guardian.
The figures, displayed in 50,000-pound increments, according to Variety, showed presenter Chris Evans in the 2,220,000 to 2,249,999 pound range, or $2.89 million to $2.93 million. BBC's top earning female, presenter Claudia Winkleman, was in the 450,000 to 499,999 pound bracket, or $586,158 to $651,286.
"Chris Evans is presenting the most popular show on the most popular network in Europe," Tony Hall, the BBC's director general, told The Guardian in defending his pay. "Chris Evans would have a choice [of jobs], it might not be commercial radio but we do know that a number of presenters have been made offers by commercial radio. We also know we have lost people, not Chris, to Amazon and other big players. That is the market we are dealing with."
Talk show host Graham Norton made within the 850,000 to 899,999 pound range, or $1.1 million to $1.17 million bracket. Tess Daly, co-host of "Strictly Come Dancing," makes in the 350,000 to 399,999 pound range, or $455,901 to $521,028, noted Variety.
The Guardian pointed out that Norton's salary does not include the pay he receives from "The Graham Norton Show" because it is not by the BBC.
Former soccer star Gary Lineker, the presenter of "Match of the Day," was the BBC's top sports broadcaster in the 1,750,000 and 1,799,999 pound range, or $2.28 million to $2.34 million. The top female sports broadcaster, Wimbledon presenter Sue Barker, makes in the 300,000 and 349,999 pound range, or $390,772 to $455,899, noted Variety.
Prime Minister Theresa May took a shot at the BBC top earners Wednesday, according to The Guardian: "As we see today there are some people in public sector who are being very well paid.”
Tracy Brabin was among several members of Parliament to speak out on what they called lack of gender pay equality among the network's best known personalities.
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