26 July 2010
Last updated at 10:51 ET

The UK Film Council is to be axed as part of a cost-cutting drive by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), it has been announced.

The organisation, founded in 2000, had an annual budget of £15m to invest in British films and employed 75 people.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he wanted to establish a “direct and less bureaucratic relationship with the British Film Institute”.

UK Film Council chairman Tim Bevan called it “a bad decision”.

He said the announcement was “imposed without any consultation or evaluation”.

“People will rightly look back on today’s announcement and say it was a big mistake, driven by short-term thinking and political expediency,” he said.

The DCMS said film funding would continue but would be distributed through other bodies.

Current lottery funding for film is £26 million per year. This is expected to increase to £32 million after 2012.

Direct government funding, currently about £25m a year, is being considered as part of the ongoing spending review.

In a statement, the DCMS said it was “clear that culture and creative industries will not be singled out as a soft target, and that the government will champion the value they bring”.

Digital screens

The Film Council was set up by the Labour government to develop and promote the British film industry.

Funded by the National Lottery, it channelled about £160m into more than 900 films over the last 10 years, including Bend It Like Beckham, The Last King of Scotland and Streetdance 3D.

Other initiatives included the Digital Screen Network, which invested in 240 digital cinema screens across the UK – meaning the UK now has more digital cinemas than any other European country.

In a letter to the British film industry, John Woodward, Chief Executive of the Film Council, said he had been informed that “the target is to have the organisation totally closed down with its assets and its remaining operations transferred out by April 2012″.

“That does, at least, give us time to honour our current commitments,” he added.

Mr Hunt said 16 public bodies, including the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) would lose their funding as the government committed to “increasing the transparency and accountability of its public bodies, while at the same time reducing their number and cost”.

“Many of these bodies were set up a considerable length of time ago, and times and demands have changed,” he added.

“The changes I have proposed today would help us deliver fantastic culture, media and sport, while ensuring value for money for the public and transparency about where taxpayers’ money is spent.”

Shadow Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw has accused the government cuts of being “hasty, ill thought-though and incoherent.”

He added: “The UK fllm industry has just had its best year ever, earning millions for our country, but the Government is axing the UK Film Council without saying what or who will do its important work.”

The MLA is also to be wound up by 2012, in order to “focus efforts on front-line, essential services and ensure greater value for money”.

Responding to the announcement, chairman Sir Andrew Motion and chief executive Roy Clare have pledged to “continue to deliver a vibrant and effective expert service for the public who rightly expect excellent, sustainable museums, libraries and record offices in their local neighbourhoods.

“Stormy seas call for cool heads and steady hands,” they added.

25 July 2010
Last updated at 12:12 ET

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has called on the BBC to be more open about how much it pays its top stars.

Speaking on BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show, Mr Hunt said that the corporation should be clear about how it spends the public’s money.

Earlier this month the BBC Trust said details of star pay would be revealed in bands, but not individual salaries.

Mr Hunt said the public was “genuinely divided” over the issue and needed to make up their own minds.

“The difficulty here is that the public is genuinely divided – some people say ‘why should we pay huge salaries for stars on the BBC when we can see them on ITV?’,” he said.

“Other people say ‘look, one of the reasons I pay my licence fee is I want to see people like Brucie doing Strictly Come Dancing’.

“There is a genuine division there and I think the best way to resolve that is for the BBC to be open about the packages that it pays to celebrities.

“We have learned in government that transparency is the best way to solve a lot of these issues because you are saying to the public ‘look, you’re grown up, you make up your own mind’.”

Mr Hunt said he also wanted to meet BBC director general, Mark Thompson, to discuss the salaries the corporation pays its top executives.

He said while the BBC had made “some steps in the right direction” it needed to show it was on the “same planet as everyone else” when it came to pay for top executives.

The BBC recently announced it would reduce the pay of its top executives and slim down its senior management.

Mr Hunt said: “We will be having discussions over the future of the next licence fee settlement next year in which I will be talking to Mark and the BBC management in a lot of detail.

“I do want the BBC to demonstrate that when it comes to their management pay they are on the same planet as everyone else.

“Because of the economic inheritance that we are facing, government ministers have been careful with every single penny of taxpayers’ money and the BBC does need to show it is careful with every penny of licence fee payers’ money as well.”

Mr Hunt also said the way that the licence fee is collected may have to change to keep up with changes in technology.

He said while the government “accepts the principle of the licence fee… the way we collect it may have to be rethought”.

And he also signalled that the BBC should consider reducing its online activity.

“The web is a very good area where the BBC needs to have clearer red lines on what it will and won’t do.”

Executive pensions

Meanwhile, claims in the Sunday Express that Mr Thompson and the BBC’s executive directors stand to gain from a “secret pension pot” have been denied by the BBC.

The newspaper said a multi-million-pound so-called “slush fund” is for Mr Thompson and eight executive board members while BBC staff are being asked to accept a cap on the amount pensionable salaries of existing members can grow by to 1% a year.

But the BBC said the figures quoted form part of the remuneration for the executive board that is published annually in the BBC’s Annual Report & Accounts.

In a statement the BBC said: “In addition to the changes to the Pension Scheme that the BBC is proposing we are also reviewing all aspects of pension provision, including that for senior managers.

“We will announce these together with any other changes to the proposals after the consultation closes.”

23 July 2010
Last updated at 15:45 ET

Richard Desmond, the owner of the Daily Express and Daily Star, has bought Five Group from entertainment network RTL for £104m.

The deal for Mr Desmond’s Northern & Shell company to buy Five, which runs TV channel Five, has been closed with immediate effect.

RTL said a recovery in the UK TV advertising market meant now was a good time for it to sell.

Last month, Mr Desmond indicated that he wanted to buy the Sun newspaper.

“I am delighted to have taken ownership of the network, and know with the right investment, drive and leadership it can go from strength to strength as a competitive broadcaster and a modern player for the digital consumer,” Mr Desmond said in a statement.

‘Exciting plans’

Dawn Airey, Five’s chief executive, said she was “looking forward” to working with the new owners.

“Northern & Shell are an international media business with a prominent position in the UK.

“We now move forward under the ownership of a successful media company that wants to grow our business and has exciting plans for the development of Five.”

Channel Five was first launched in 1997 and is home to popular Australian soaps Neighbours and Home and Away, as well as the Crime Scene Investigation series.

The channel was hit hard by the slump in advertising revenue during the downturn but the advertising market has picked up this year.

“With a significant recovery of the UK TV advertising market and Five performing well in the first half of 2010, we saw a window of opportunity to realise a transaction based on a fair evaluation of Five,” said Gerhard Zeiler, chief executive of RTL Group.

Rival UK broadcaster Channel 4 was reportedly also interested in buying channel Five.

Colourful character

Richard Desmond has had a colourful and controversial career since leaving school at 14 with few academic qualifications.

By the age of 21, he owned his own house and two record shops, before acquiring the Express newspaper titles in 2000 with money he had made in the adult entertainment industry.

Roger Parry, the former chairman of Johnston Press who once made a bid for ITV, said Mr Desmond may be best known for his top-shelf publications but he will adopt an entrepreneur’s approach to the channel.

“He is certainly colourful and has got a very high profile in Private Eye and other such magazines,” he said.

“But I don’t think you can necessarily judge his past in terms of guessing what he’s going to do with channel Five.

“He’s very cost-focused and on the surface at least very successful. Commercially the Daily Express and OK! magazine seem to have thrived under his ownership.”

22 July 2010
Last updated at 23:01

By Tim Masters
Entertainment correspondent, BBC News

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has admitted he felt an initial rush of anxiety over taking on the role of a modern-day Sherlock Holmes.

The 34-year-old actor stars in the BBC’s contemporary remake of the Arthur Conan Doyle classic which begins on BBC One on Sunday.

Asked how he felt when he got the role he said: “Extraordinary amounts of joy, immediately followed by a tidal wave of neurotic worry.

“You immediately think of Holmes past and present. What am I stepping into? Do I want to be recognised just for this character? You even start to curse your blessings. It’s a strange thing being an actor.”

Sherlock is a series of three 90-minute films created by Doctor Who writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss.

The first story – A Study in Pink – sees the eccentric detective join forces with Doctor Watson (Martin Freeman) to solve a string of apparent suicides in London in 2010.

In a faithful nod to to the original story, Watson has just returned home after being wounded in Afghanistan.

Cumberbatch described his Sherlock as “a man of action and a great, great thinker”.

He said: “He has a razor sharp wit that can push people off a pedestal and gain the upper hand in the space of a second. It’s so enjoyable to play.”

The actor said that during filming he tried to avoid the classic TV and movie versions of Sherlock Holmes.

“Once you start to play with the ghosts of those brilliant incarnations you’re in trouble. It’s a not a sane thing for any actor to do,” he said.

But he added: “Jeremy Brett and Basil Rathbone are the supreme Victorian incarnations of Holmes. I get great relish out of watching them now and I feel a kinship now having bloodied myself with these first three films.”

Writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss got the idea for their modern Holmes from their love of the Basil Rathbone films of the 1940s which saw their hero “fighting Nazis and all sort of nonsense”.

“It felt cheap and cheerful and a bit pulpy – it’s fun,” said Moffat. “We thought somebody someday is going to do this again and we’ll be so grumpy about that.”

Moffat also praised Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Sherlock Holmes.

“It’s a bit of a blessing that one of the hottest young actors on the planet at the moment happens to look like Sherlock Holmes. He does have the look. He’s got that imperious style and he’s a bit Byronic.”

Wouldn’t Benedict Cumberbatch make an ideal Doctor Who?

“There is no vacancy,” said Moffat. “Matt Smith is the Doctor and he’s been an astonishing success and – who knows – maybe he’ll never regenerate again.”

Chris Moyles holds the record as Radio 1’s longest-serving breakfast show host

Radio 1 breakfast show host Chris Moyles has signed a new contract which will keep him at the station for at least another year.

The DJ announced the news on his Twitter feed on Tuesday (20 July).

He said: “Evening all. I might treat myself to a few drinks tonight as it’s warm and the contract at work is now done. 12 more months of early starts!”

Chris Moyles is the longest-serving Radio 1 breakfast show host, taking over the slot in 2004 from Sara Cox.

On Wednesday morning the presenter added: “I’ve resigned the contract. The contract is now finally done, which is very exciting. I’m really pleased.”

Cost-cutting

During the show, he also denied newspaper reports that he wanted to beat Radio 2 breakfast show host Chris Evans in the ratings.

Chris Moyles has nearly eight million listeners but according to official radio statistics (Rajar), Chris Evans increased his weekly reach to 9.53m in the first three months of 2010.

Chris Moyles joined Radio 1 as early breakfast presenter in 1997

Moyles, 36, revealed last year that he’d taken a 20% pay cut because of cost-cutting at the BBC.

The self-styled “saviour of Radio 1″ joined the station as early breakfast presenter in 1997 before taking over the drivetime show in October 1998.

He beat Tony Blackburn’s record of longest-serving breakfast show host last September after clocking up 2,073 days in the job.

The Chris Moyles Breakfast Show has also won two Sony golds, the Oscars of the UK radio industry.

19 July 2010
Last updated at 04:18 ET

Christopher Nolan’s Inception has topped the North American box office taking $60.4m (£39.5m) on its opening weekend, according to studio estimates.

The thriller, about thieves who steal secrets from dreams, knocked animated 3D film Despicable Me off the top spot.

It was Leonardo DiCaprio’s best opening weekend, beating $41.1m (£26.9m) taken for Shutter Island in February. It is already being tipped for Oscar glory.

Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice opened at three with $17.4m (£11.4m).

Inception stars DiCaprio, 35, as the leader of a team that breaks into people’s dreams.

Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros, said: “We let all of the sequels and popcorn films come out and get the summer rolling, then we come in here with this original concept.

“We’re in a good place to run now for the rest of the summer.”

Speaking to the BBC News website, DiCaprio said the film did not rely on the “regurgitated plot structures” of usual summer blockbusters.

“It’s nice to see films like this and other films which come out that take a gamble a little bit, and don’t underestimate their audience, and challenge them.”

17 July 2010
Last updated at 10:11 ET

The television licence fee could be cut under the government’s public spending austerity drive, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Mr Hunt attacked the BBC’s “extraordinary and outrageous” waste.

He said he could “absolutely” see viewers paying less than the current £145.50 after next year’s negotiations between the BBC and the government.

The BBC recently announced plans to cut its top managers’ pay bill.

The aim is to reduce their pay by a quarter over 18 months.

The BBC Trust, which represents licence fee payers and governs the BBC, said that it was operating in a period of “severe austerity”.

Jeremy Hunt said the BBC needed to recognise the “very constrained financial situation” the country is in.

He told the Telegraph the possibility of a reduction in the licence fee was a “discussion that we need to have”.

‘Tough decisions’

The culture secretary said: “The BBC should not interpret the fact that we haven’t said anything about the way licence fee funds are used as an indication that we are happy about it. We will be having very tough discussions.”

The Telegraph reported that a lower levy could be in place for 2012 following next year’s review process.

The culture secretary said the BBC “will have to make tough decisions like everyone else”.

“There are huge numbers of things that need to be changed at the BBC. They need to demonstrate the very constrained financial situation we are now in,” he said.

But shadow culture secretary Ben Bradshaw said: “It’s sensible for the level of the licence fee to reflect economic conditions and people’s incomes and for the BBC to strive for better value for money.

“But this feels like part of a broader anti-BBC agenda.

“Most people value the BBC and Britain’s tradition of public service broadcasting and would not favour damaging or destroying the BBC.”

A Department of Culture spokesman said “no decisions about the level of the licence fee” would be taken ahead of the review process.

“Like all other public organisations, ministers expect the BBC to demonstrate that they are operating efficiently and giving value for money,” he added.

Mr Hunt also revealed plans for the National Audit Office to examine the BBC’s books.

Recent figures showed that BBC Director General Mark Thompson and the Executive Board’s total pay packet had increased.

‘The message’

Total remuneration for the BBC Executive board rose in 2009-10 to £4.769m from £4.601m in 2008/09.

And, overall, the number of BBC staff increased from 17,078 to 17,238.

But BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas said the BBC already “seems to have got the message” being spelt out by the culture secretary.

“In recent weeks, it’s proposed a substantial reduction in pensions for many staff, agreed to cut its top managers’ pay bill by a quarter over 18 months, and said it will publish the names of its highest-earning stars,” he said.

Sir Michael Lyons, who chairs the BBC Trust, has outlined plans to cut pay, calling for greater transparency and saying every pound the BBC takes from licence fee-payers must be shown to have been spent well.

In a statement, the BBC Trust said: “The context in which the BBC is now operating is one of severe economic austerity.

“We have said that when we come to the next licence fee negotiations the trust will enter those talks representing licence fee payers’ interests alone, and that we will seek only what is necessary for the BBC to fulfil its public purposes.

“The trust remains focused on the need to secure maximum value for money for licence fee payers.”

16 July 2010
Last updated at 04:55 ET

US singer Pink was taken to hospital during a gig in Germany after an on-stage stunt went wrong.

The star fell out of a harness which was supposed to carry her across the crowd, instead being dragged into a barricade.

The concert in Nuremberg was halted as the 30-year-old was taken to hospital to be checked over.

Later, she wrote on Twitter: “Nothing’s broken, no fluid in the lungs, just seriously sore.”

She also apologised to fans for having to cut short her concert.

“To all my nurnberg fans – I am so so so sorry to end the show that way. I am embarrassed and very sorry. I’m in ambulance now but I will b fine,” she wrote.

“Didn’t get clipped in2 harness correctly, drug me off stage, fell in2 barricade. Getting xrays. I hope it at least looked cool!!!”

Video footage, shot by a member of the crowd, shows the accident and Pink can be heard saying that it “really hurt”.

It also shows her getting back on stage so fans could see she was not seriously injured, but was then taken by ambulance to hospital.

The Funhouse Summer Carnival Tour, which is travelling across Europe, is due to end later this month.

The museum says it is grateful to BP for its support

An oil-like substance has been poured around one of the British Museum’s statues by activists urging it to end its sponsorship deal with BP.

The targeted relic, Hoa Hakananai’a, is a giant carving of a human head and torso and is about 1,000 years old.

A group called Culture Beyond Oil carried out the protest. A similar protest targeted Tate Britain in June.

The British Museum said the substance involved was molasses, which had not damaged the Easter Island statue.

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill has led to campaigners stepping up their opposition to BP, with protests targeting London institutions backed by the oil company.

‘Tarnished reputations’

Culture Beyond Oil said in a statement that it had chosen the object because it “represents the way in which civilisations once considered invincible can collapse in a short period of time”.

The group said the five activists who took part, their faces clad in black veils, were careful not to pour the “non-toxic” substance on the sculpture, which stands on a plinth as part of the museum’s Living and Dying display.

One of the protesters said: “Institutions such as the British Museum are amongst the most valuable assets that this country has, but their worldwide reputation is being tarnished by the sponsorship deal with BP.”

Last month there was a similar protest at Tate Britain, whose summer party was disrupted when an oil-like substance and feathers were thrown.

The British Museum said: “BP is one of the British Museum’s most long-standing corporate partners, supporting the museum since 1996.

“We are grateful to BP for their ongoing support, which enables us to fulfil our mission of bringing world cultures to global audiences.”

Polanski was under house arrest but is now free to leave

Authorities in Switzerland have decided not to extradite film director Roman Polanski to the US to face sentencing for a case dating back to 1977.

Polanski, 76, has been under house arrest in his Swiss chalet since December 2009 pending the decision.

He is wanted in the US over a conviction for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Swiss Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said the “restrictions on his liberty have been lifted.”

A Swiss official said the US cannot appeal the decision.

Polanski faces arrest over his conviction for unlawful sex with an underage girl in 1977 should he ever return to the United States.

The director, who was originally charged with six offences including rape and sodomy, pleaded guilty to unlawful sex following a plea bargain.

But he left the US in 1978, before he could be sentenced, and has never returned.

He was taken into custody in Switzerland in September last year as he travelled from France to collect a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich Film Festival.

Polanski, whose films include Rosemary’s Baby and The Pianist, was moved from prison and placed under house arrest at his chalet in the resort of Gstaad in early December.

‘National interests’

The Swiss government declared Polanski a free man on Monday after rejecting the US extradition request.

The Swiss said US authorities failed to provide confidential testimony about Polanski’s original sentencing procedure.

The Justice Ministry also said that national interests were taken into consideration in the decision.

A statement said: “The 76-year-old French-Polish film director Roman Polanski will not be extradited to the US.

“The freedom-restricting measures against him have been revoked.”

It added: “The reason for the decision lies in the fact that it was not possible to exclude with the necessary certainty a fault in the US extraditionary request.”