C4's chief executive takes home £1.2m

by Ben Bold, Brand Republic 23-Apr-08, 15:00

LONDON - The earnings of Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan nearly doubled from £622,000 in 2006 to £1.21m last year, despite it being a torrid period for the broadcaster with phone-in scandals and a racism row sparked by 'Big Brother'.

Duncan was paid a basic salary of £650,000 and received a £98,000 bonus, and received a £450,000 loyalty payout accrued over the last three financial years. In the same year the company's pre-tax profits tumbled from £21.3m to £1.6m, according to its financial results.

The broadcaster's annual report, which was published today, also revealed that director of television Kevin Lygos' total pay packet climbed from £598,000 in 2006 to £888,000 last year, when he was promoted from director of programming to director of television.

Channel 4 chairman Luke Johnson defended Duncan's earnings, arguing that the salary was agreed three years ago and that by excluding the loyalty bonus the annual pay hike was actually much lower.

Johnson himself received a salary of £73,000 in 2007, an increase of just £1,000 on the previous year.

Duncan's salary compares to the £1.9m awarded to ITV executive chairman Michael Grade in 2007, including an annual bonus of £967,000.