I wouldn't have thought 'Sounds of Folk' was a particularly expensive programme to produce... after all, our studio guests don't get paid, and we don't have that many telephone guests (the Beeb foots the bill for the call only).

There aren't any research costs involved, unlike some of the 'chat' programmes that have a team of researchers keeping tabs on things - Allan's programme, for example.

Admittedly we include between seven and ten CD tracks (or live performances) per programme, but some of them are either 'White Label' or not registered for PRS - which still have to be logged after the show. We do have to log live performances, so PRS royalties rules still apply.

Although Ali is paid a flat rate as a freelance presenter, Jenny and I are both volunteers - so replacing me with a BBC producer actually costs more!

We occasionally pre-record items for the programme, which isn't always done in the studio. For example, we pre-recorded an interview with Dervish at the Burnley Mechanics Institute a few weeks ago. It was recorded and transferred to CD for broadcasting using my own equipment, and so cost the Beeb nothing!!

It will probably be another two weeks before we eventually learn the fate of the programme...