21 MAY 1994, Page 27

Rather cost-effective

Sir: Bryan Appleyard is, of course, entitled to his opinions about The Late Show, but last week's tirade contained some funda- mental errors that I would like to correct. The Late Show's average audience is 500,000 — roughly twice the figure he gave and, incidentally, ten times The Spectator's circulation. He is equally wide of the mark when it comes to The Late Show's budget, which, at f11 million, is some 60 per cent less than the figure he erroneously quotes. For a show that is on the air four nights a week for 37 weeks of the year, that makes it rather cost-effective.

Kim Evans

Head of Music and Arts, BBC Television, Kensington House, Richmond Way, London W14