The BBC director says it is “amazing” that the broadcaster is “pulling through” to force households to pay royalties

The BBC’s director-general boasted to staff that it was “amazing” that the channel was “pulling through” UK households to pay the license fee.

In an hour-long meeting on Tuesday, Tim Davie said it was “glory” that the BBC “doesn’t have to make a profit on everything” and that it has “slightly better budgets than some of the commercial operators”.

Clips from a recording of the meeting, seen by The Daily Telegraph, show the BBC boss speaking to BBC South staff as journalists prepare to strike over local radio clippings.

He boasted: “It’s really amazing what we’re putting together, by the way. That most households are pretty happy paying for a license is a forced payment. It’s amazing what we pull off.’

Speaking on the fee regime, he said: “We have to be careful at the BBC with our message to the outside world.

A recording of BBC director-general Tim Davie reveals him telling staff “it’s amazing what we’re deducting” to force people to pay the license fee

The future of the BBC’s funding is under scrutiny, but Boris Johnson called the £159 annual license fee “anachronistic”.

“People think we’re the cat with the cream at the moment and I know inside it doesn’t feel like it and I’m really very sensitive when I say that.”

The future of the BBC’s funding is under scrutiny, but Boris Johnson called the £159 annual license fee “anachronistic”.

Former Tory Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said Tim Davie’s comments showed the BBC’s “arrogance”.

He told The Daily Telegraph: “People don’t really think the BBC will give them what they want. People switch off. They’re sick of being fed this very central London, alert, apologetic view of their country.’

A BBC spokesman said: “Tim Davie has spoken to teams across the BBC about the organisation’s strategy and answered questions from staff. It is not uncommon for these topics – along with many others – to be addressed in internal discussions.

“In conversations with BBC teams, Tim regularly speaks about the privilege of having the royalty; the ongoing need to deliver outstanding content and distinctive journalism; the challenging circumstances faced by the media industry, including the BBC; and the fact that the BBC can take creative risks that others find harder to take.

“The commercial media sector generally pays staff more than the BBC, but many people work for the BBC because they believe in public service and have access to great opportunities.”

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk