BBC directors enjoy bigger pay packets but cost of stars drops

Total remuneration for the BBC executive board went up in 2009-10 to 4.7m from 4.6m in 2008-09.

Mr Thompson's pay increased by 4,000 to 838,000, while total pay for stars – an issue which has caused much controversy in recent years – went down.

But the BBC said the increase was due to the fact the annual report figures still reflect the rise paid in August 2008 – before pay was frozen and bonuses suspended in January 2009.

Deputy director general Mark Byford's total remuneration went up from 485,000 to 488,000.Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision, took home 517,000 compared to 515,000 in 2008-09.

In addition to pensions, the BBC's executive directors benefit from a car, fuel allowance, private health insurance and life insurance. The director general and his deputy are entitled to a chauffeur driven car.

In terms of stars, in 2009-10, a total of 52.2m was spent on salaries above 150,000, down from 54.4m in 2008-09. Total costs dropped by about 7m from 229.2m to 221.5m.

The figures were released as it emerged BBC 6 Music would be saved from closure – with the BBC Trust stating that "a convincing case" has not been made for the station to be shut down.

The BBC proposed the station's demise under a strategy rethink, sparking protests from politicians and stars from the worlds of music and broadcasting.

The trust said the Asian Network – the other station the BBC intended to turn off – was "performing poorly" and that there was a "case for closure".

The announcement is welcome news for the growing number of 6 Music's fans, as well as stars like David Bowie, Jarvis Cocker, Lily Allen and Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis, who have been vocal opponents of plans to axe it. Publicity generated by their campaign helped boost the small station's audience to more than one million listeners a week.

The trust also said the BBC's reputation was being damaged by a stream of "formulaic" property and antique shows, the BBC Trust said today.

Although it shied away from naming particular programmes, the criticism puts the spotlight on titles like Homes Under The Hammer, Cash In The Attic and Bargain Hunt.