LONDON, March 21 (UPI) -- The British Broadcasting Corp. Trust says some of the network's top talent has agreed to take significant pay cuts.
The cuts were part of an overall cost-reduction plan that will lop off 400 million pounds ($579.5 million) in expenses at the BBC's television and radio operations.
"As part of the overall efficiency drive, the Trust welcomes BBC management's commitment to reduce significantly the total amount it spends on top talent in coming years," The Trust said in a statement. "BBC management is actively managing this process, with some new contracts already agreed for substantially less than the BBC has paid in the past."
Details of the reductions were not released. However, The Telegraph said they apparently affected some of the biggest names on the BBC roster and were as high as 25 percent.
BBC leadership anticipates another round of job cuts in the near future, although the budget for online operations is reportedly being increased.
