Stephen Nolan's BBC Earnings in 2025/26
Stephen Nolan received a salary ranging between £425,000 and £429,999 directly funded by the licence fee during the 2025-26 financial year.
According to the BBC's recently released annual report, Nolan was the third highest-paid presenter at the corporation in 2025/26.
This represents an increase compared to his 2024/25 earnings, which were between £405,000 and £409,999.
His remuneration covers his presenting roles on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio 5 Live, and Nolan Live on BBC Television.
In the previous year, Nolan was also the third highest-paid on-air presenter, with only Greg James and Scott Mills, both radio presenters, earning more.
Scott Mills, who was dismissed by the BBC in April 2026, was the highest-paid presenter in the 2025/26 financial year, earning between £745,000 and £749,999.
BBC Northern Ireland Director's Salary
Adam Smyth, director of BBC Northern Ireland, earned between £185,000 and £189,999 in 2025/26.
This marks an increase from his 2024/25 salary, which was between £178,000 and £184,999.
BBC Salary Disclosure Requirements and Independent Production Payments
The BBC is mandated to publish a list of individuals, both on-air and off-air, who receive over £178,000 annually from licence fee revenue.
However, these disclosed pay figures exclude salaries of talent paid for programmes produced by independent production companies for the BBC.
For example, Claudia Winkelman does not appear on the list of top earners despite her presenting roles on Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors.
Similarly, the pay figures do not include salaries for programmes made for the BBC by independent production companies, such as Nolan's show Peelers.
Peelers is produced for the BBC by Nolan's independent production company, Third Street Studios.
Changes in BBC Talent and Financial Context
Several high earners from previous years, including Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball, have departed from the BBC.
The BBC's annual report has been published amid plans to implement significant savings, including cutting up to 2,000 jobs.
The report highlights that while the BBC remains the UK's leading media brand, reaching 94% of adults on average each month, fewer than 80% of households currently pay the licence fee.
In a statement, BBC Director-General Matt Brittin said:
"a moment of real jeopardy, not just for the BBC but for public service broadcasting and the UK as a whole."
The BBC's primary funding source is the £180-a-year TV licence, but Brittin has recently described this funding model as "no longer fit for purpose."
BBC Northern Ireland Performance and Usage
More broadly, the BBC reported a strong year for BBC Northern Ireland, with successful dramas such as Blue Lights and Hope Street filmed locally, the launch of The State of Us podcast, and dedicated films for YouTube.
BBC Northern Ireland remained the most used media brand in the region, accessed by 84% of adults weekly.
Usage of BBC online platforms and BBC reached record levels in 2025/26, although there was no increase in the use of .
However, the proportion of adults listening to BBC radio and watching BBC TV in Northern Ireland declined.
Overall, the BBC collected approximately £101 million from licence fee payers in Northern Ireland, and employed 635 people in the region during 2025/26.
