“Cuts have been hard, make no mistake. We have been very clear about what is
driving our rights strategy, and it is crown jewel events. The message from
audiences is crystal clear. They want the BBC to broadcast the shared
national moments, the pinnacle events, because they are standout.

“We are showing that in practice. We have deals to 2017 with Wimbledon and Six
Nations. We have the World Athletics Championships coming back in 2017. Even
in F1 we have been clear that the British GP is a critical moment when we
need to be live, even if we have fewer races.

“But the truth is that some live football rights have got out of reach in
terms of their value.”

This will dismay the Football Association, which is desperate to bring the BBC
to the table in 2014 for the FA Cup and England internationals, rights for
which were recently extended to ITV at a 20 per cent reduction.

The FA will have to hope financial constraints are loosened, as Slater appears
content with the current mix of radio rights, shared the European
Championship and World Cup, and Match of the Day, which will be a priority
when it comes up for tender next year.

Defending what it has, even if that means striking content-sharing deals with
Sky, as was the case with The Masters and Formula One, is the priority. For
everyone else, they may have to make do with the intangible value the BBC
adds, rather than hard cash.

“We have shown we are willing to reduce rights if we have to. We have to be
creative. But if you look at the choices rights holders are making, they
understand the additional value the BBC can bring to the piece.”

Away from rights negotiations, Slater has been the architect of the move to
Salford. With Olympic planning being handled in London she has focused on
persuading staff to head north — 57 per cent have done so.

Some 18 months after taking up the post Slater is relaxed about the BBC’s
position in the sporting landscape, and looking forward to opening the doors
for SPotY.

“It definitely marks an arrival here for us. It is not the formal
ribbon-cutting moment, because we have had people in here since June and the
move won’t complete until February, but it is definitely a symbolic moment,”
she said.

As perhaps the most senior woman working in the sports media, Slater was
dismayed by the absence of any female athletes from the shortlist, but
defends the BBC’s position.

“It is a disappointment, no question, but sometimes something happens that
throws a spotlight on a key issue. People look at an all-male shortlist and
their gut instinct is that it can’t be right.

“But whatever the specific reasons in this case no one can say that our women
athletes get sufficient coverage for their achievements or as the role
models they are.”

Slater’s criticism is not reserved for the sports media that voted for the
shortlist. She points out that mainstream magazines aimed at women and
teenage girls do not celebrate female athletes any more than Zoo and Nuts,
the lads’ mags whose places on the selection panel were criticised.

“You have to look not just at the traditional sports media but the whole
general interest in women’s magazines. You have stories of hugely positive
achievements by female athletes, yet you do not see them presented as
inspirational characters.

“There are some fairly stark facts and figures in terms of participation
between men and women, declared interest in sport between men and women.

“But I would robustly defend what SPotY has done over a number of years in
celebrating our champion women. We have had three female winners in the last
10 years.”

Slater has said she will review the selection procedure before next year’s
award, and while she will not rule out separate awards for men and women,
she suggests it is unlikely.

“I don’t want to rule anything in or out, but early canvassing of opinion,
particularly among women, would see two awards as a backward step.”