REUTERS
Britain’s public service broadcaster, the BBC, was at the center of a discrimination row today after it revealed in its annual report that just one of its top ten earners is a woman (Claudia Winkleman, who earns between £450,000 and £500,000 ($586,000 - $650,000) per annum for presenting Britain's version of Dancing with the Stars). All of the top ten are white. Overall many more men than women are paid in excess of £150,000 ($195,000) a year. Pay rates at the BBC are an explosive issue in the UK owing to the unique way the BBC is funded. The commercial-free station is funded by a ‘TV license fee’ of £147 ($190) which is levied annually on every household with a television set, even if the TV owner can prove they do not use the TV to watch the BBC. While the BBC has for many years published the salaries of senior management, this year marks the first time the Corporation’s TV and radio stars earning more than £150,000-a-year have had their remuneration disclosed. The network argues it must pay market-competitive rates to attract and retain its top stars.