[Jon]

You shouldn’t compare what the BBC do with a commercial operate would do because they’re not a commercial operator.

??? The BBC is never not being compared to commercial operators. The BBC have been incredibly generous compared to many of the local talent Bauer have axed. This is all just the same as what’s going on with Jeremy Clarkson and millionaire. People have got their narrative and nothing can change it whether it fits in with reality or not. The BBC could have done what some seem to think they should have done and they still would have complained about something.

The BBC is being compared to commercial operators but that doesn’t make it one. To some extent the BBC should act in the interest of what the listeners would want. Yes, there could be ‘commercially’ sensitive information but if that was the issue he’d be gone right away.

There is a level of maturity one expects from the BBC over commercial operations. Just compare to how the BBC treated Neighbours when they lost the rights compared to how ITV treated Home & Away.

Ultimately making Bruce go early, has reflected badly on the BBC and not on Bruce or GHR. And they wouldn’t have made any commercial loses as a result of letting him serve out his contract. With the BBC the PR battle is just as important as the ratings battle and I’m afraid they’ve scored an own goal here.

For the record I also think the BBC should promote, although not overly, important sporting fixtures as being on commercial rivals, as it’s in the interest of the licence fee payer to know that.