Business Standard

BBC sells TV centre to property developer for 200 mln pounds

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Press Trust of India London

The building opened on June 29, 1960, as the BBC's first purpose-built centre for television production, was put on sale in June 2011 by the world's largest public broadcaster.

In a statement, the BBC said it has "exchanged contracts" for the sale of Television Centre to property developers Stanhope Plc for a total price of 200 million pounds.

Staff based there are now either based in Salford or are in the process of moving to the newly extended Broadcasting House in central London, the statement said.

The circular building, known to staff as the doughnut, was given "listed" heritage status in 2009, which means it cannot be demolished, extended or altered without special permission from the local authority.

 

The BBC has reduced its star pay by 9.5 million pounds, spending just over 203 million pounds in the last financial year on salaries for its presenters and "talent".

Its annual report revealed 16 individuals were paid more than 500,000 pounds in the financial year 2011-2012, three fewer than the year before.

The director general, Mark Thompson, earned 622,000 pounds in the last financial year - down from 779,000 pounds. He earned 15 times more than the median pay of a BBC employee.

  

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First Published: Jul 16 2012 | 9:06 PM IST

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