Seven presenters working for the public broadcasting companies earned more than the agreed maximum €186,000 in 2012, according to sector association NPO.

In 2011, ten presenters broke the barrier, which was equivalent to the prime minister’s salary at the time.

Three of those technically earning too much work for BNN, two for Tros and two for Vara, the NPO said.

Parliament agreed in 2009 that presenters should not earn more than the premier – the standard for public sector salaries.

Commercial

Exceptions can be made for five television and three radio presenters, if the broadcasters get permission from the public broadcasting authority. This was considered necessary to stop star performers moving to the commercial sector.

The best paid public broadcaster is said to be Matthijs van Nieuwkerk, who presents the daily tv talk show De wereld draait door and earns a reported €491,000 a year.

The Dutch public broadcasting system is partly funded by taxpayers and partly by advertising.