Roger Mosey, BBC director of London 2012 Olympics coverage, visited on Dec. 3 the University of Lincoln for a guest talk. Mosey, overseeing the biggest ever BBC production, spoke to those present about the challenges the BBC is facing in preparation for the 2012 Olympics coverage.

I asked Mr. Mosey how many people the BBC plans to hire in advance of the Olympics coverage.

He replied: “at BBC Sport, our headcount is 450 and that’s it. In terms of it — if 75% of people moved (Salford), or probably a higher number I think, there would still be about 125 job vacancies in BBC Sport in Salford in 2011. If you then put on top of it that all the people in freelance capacities in London; it would be a very, very big number.” “It’s something that’s a top priority, so there will be jobs,” Mosey added.

Additional resources:

Roger Mosey Interview – Guardian | “London 2012 TV director talks about the colossal challenge of taking the Games to all the people. Mosey went out on a high as the Beijing Games showed how breadth of coverage via the internet and interactive television could be married with the defining moments that can unite the nation.”

Roger Mosey’s ‘Mega-job’ – Guardian | “Mosey is to step down from his role in order to lead the corporation’s preparations and operations for the London 2012 Olympic games. Mosey, who will step down as director of sport once a replacement has been appointed, oversaw the BBC’s hugely successful coverage of the Beijing games this summer.”