The BBC has released its Annual Report, following investigations into allegations against MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace and a Gaza documentary that violated editorial guidelines. The report notes that an investigation into Wallace upheld more than half of the allegations. Simultaneously, Ofcom launched its own investigation into the Gaza documentary, which used the child of a Hamas official as its narrator without the BBC’s knowledge, due to a failure of information sharing by the independent production company.
Director-General Tim Davie called the Gaza documentary controversy “the most challenging editorial issue I’ve had to deal with”. He added: “The importance of fair balance reporting, the need for high-quality homegrown programming in the face of massive pressure, I think has never, ever been greater. And I believe my leadership and the team I’ve assembled can really help the BBC thrive in that environment and very competitive environment.” Despite these challenges, public trust in the BBC has shown a modest increase.
Following an earlier report on the corporation’s culture, several staff members were dismissed. While the report didn’t find a “toxic” culture, it did identify unacceptable behavior by a minority of individuals that wasn't adequately addressed. Regarding the Wallace situation, Davie stated that MasterChef was “much bigger than individuals” but emphasized the need to ensure the show maintains a proper culture.
The report showcased a significant rise in digital usage, with nearly 10% more requests on BBC iPlayer, making it the UK’s fastest-growing long-form video-on-demand service in 2024/25. However, it acknowledges the audience shift from linear television to on-demand streaming and highlights the increasing influence of Big Tech across various platforms, including smart speakers and in-car entertainment systems. The report also points to regulatory challenges stemming from the political climate and the tendency of device manufacturers to prioritize their services.
The report concludes by noting the continued high level of TV Licence holders in the UK, with 23.8 million licences generating £3.8 billion in revenue.