Sir Howard Stringer

I mean, before Christmas, the top 10 programs on television in England

were BBC programs.

But this story is about news.

News is always the catalyst for politicians who disagree with opinions that they perceive to be either unfair or inappropriate.

That was true when I was at CBS and it's true at

It's true in England today.

So it's a lesson for both sides.

If you're going to deal with presidents or deal with issues, you have got to be fair, and you've got to have the audience believe in the institutions that you represent.

And for many years, the BBC was a byword for trust and fairness around the world.

Worldwide news, the BBC operation,

is the most trusted globally and i've had people call me many times in the last few weeks and saying protect us because we watch the bbc because nothing else works for us in wherever country they're calling from so

The President of the United States has observed a moment that is a challenge to the BBC News operation, which I think they understand and accept.

And apologies should maybe have been offered earlier.

But I think the BBC knows what its responsibilities are.

I think it's reasonable, but I also think that President Trump knows Britain very well.

I knew him personally, and he was very generous to me.

And suing the BBC is sending a message that be fair, be true to yourself, whether or not

England will play a billion dollars.

I doubt that they will, and I doubt that President Trump really wants that.

I think he wants the BBC in a funny kind of a way to behave.