BBC News at Ten is expected to have Clive Myrie as a substitute for Huw Edwards, who is currently suspended.
Insiders suggest that Clive Myrie, a BBC presenter, will take over from the suspended Huw Edwards on the News at Ten.
- Insiders are suggesting that Clive Myrie could potentially become the face of BBC News.
Insiders have revealed that Clive Myrie is likely to take over as the host of BBC’s News at Ten, replacing the suspended newsreader Huw Edwards.
Last month, Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News, presented a three-minute video that served as her ‘mission statement’, in which Myrie, aged 59, had a significant role.
The clip showcased a handful of presenters talking about ‘values’ that Turness wants the organisation to focus on – clarity, courage, fairness, respect and transparency.
Insiders have reported that Myrie’s role was highly noticeable, as he was responsible for delivering Turness’s important statement: ‘We will always remember that earning your trust is crucial’, as stated by The Times.
According to employees who attended the all-hands digital meeting on September 12, it seems that Myrie’s position within the BBC is gaining prominence.
Insiders have revealed that Clive Myrie is likely to take over as the host of BBC’s News at Ten, filling in for the suspended newsreader Huw Edwards.
Huw Edward was suspended in July, following claims he paid sums of cash to a young person and received explicit pictures
Many believe that Myrie will likely take over as the replacement for Huw Edwards, as he is not expected to return to his frontman duties.
A rival presenter said: ‘Is it not already out there in a way? Clive Myrie is currently hosting the News at Ten.
No announcement is expected until the corporation determines the future of Edwards, their highest paid journalist earning an annual salary ranging from £435,000 to £440,000.
The BBC is still conducting a fact-finding investigation on the anchor, who received praise for his presentation during the coverage of the Queen’s death and funeral in the previous year.
In July, Edward was put on suspension after being accused of giving money to a minor and receiving explicit images. He was also accused of sending inappropriate messages to certain coworkers. However, the police investigation did not uncover any proof of illegal activities.
Edwards’ departure creates an opportunity for other individuals to potentially take on the task of covering next year’s general election. Myrie, Raworth, Bruce, Kuenssberg, Robinson, and various others are potential candidates for this role.
Turness was appointed to her role in January 2022 after previously being at the helm of ITV News and Cannel 4 News producer ITN, where she earned a salary of £400,000.
Deborah Turness, the CEO of ITN, was appointed as the BBC’s new CEO of news and current affairs in January of the previous year. According to insiders, Myrie plays a crucial role in Turness’s vision for the channel.
The BBC has set a goal to decrease its yearly budget by £400 million by 2027, which is putting Turness and other BBC leaders in a position where they need to implement cost reductions.
The BBC revealed in March that it would reduce its new television programme hours by 1,000 for the current year due to budget constraints.
The previous year, the government decided to keep the licence fee at £159 for a duration of two years, resulting in a financial deficit for the corporation. However, starting from next year, the licence fee will increase in accordance with inflation.
Gill Hind, head of TV at media advisory firm Enders Analysis, said: ‘The licence fee has been completely squeezed over the last ten, 12 years.
Between 2010 and 2022, they have actually experienced a decrease of around 30 percent in real terms. Throughout this time frame, they have been compelled to implement numerous cost reductions. Similar to many other companies, the BBC had some excess expenses, but they have successfully eliminated them.
“We anticipate that the savings required will exceed £400 million due to the decline in the number of individuals paying the licence fee. Therefore, once you have implemented significant cost reductions, you reach a point where you must consider where further cuts can be made.”
In recent years, BBC News has implemented a series of redundancies as a cost-cutting measure.
Last year, it hit headlines when it announced it would merge is 24-hour BBCNews and Wolrd News channels – leading several presenters to lose their jobs.
Five individuals – Martine Croxall, Annita McVeigh, Geeta Guru-Murthy, Karin Giannone, and Kasia Madera – have continued to be paid by the company even though they have not been seen on television for more than six months.
The BBC is conducting an internal investigation to determine if the hiring process for presenter positions in the combined news channel was suitable.
The reduction in funding for local BBC radio stations resulted in a series of strikes earlier this year, as more emphasis was placed on digital news.
