Read this: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/bbc-director-general-tony-hall-defends-bbc-policy-on-payoffs-8804585.ht

Summary: BBC director general Tony Hall says the corporation has a grip on the money it gets from licence-fee payers ahead of a parliamentary hearing examining hefty pay-offs given to senior staff. Mr Byford departed the BBC with a total payout of 949,000. - independent.co.uk