The BPI today questioned the cancellation of the BBC’s Electric Proms series of televised music concerts, arguing that it further weakens the Corporation’s ability to meet its commitment to stimulating creativity and cultural excellence.
With no regular mainstream popular music output outside Later With Jools Holland, the BPI believes BBC TV is already running a significant cultural deficit in its programming. The cancellation of the BBC’s Electric Proms, showcasing some of Britain’s leading artists in unique collaborations, raises additional concerns about the BBC’s overall music programming strategy.
Geoff Taylor, BPI Chief Executive, commented, “This is a big step in the wrong direction. If the BBC is to remain relevant and justify its privileged position, it cannot duck its responsibility to reflect the culture and trends of the day – both on TV and on radio. Music helps define us and the times we live in. The BBC ought to be stepping up its commitment to new music on TV, not cutting it back still further.”
BPI Chairman Tony Wadsworth added, “There continues to be a gap between how well the BBC covers popular music on radio compared to its TV output. The BPI has been working with the BBC to increase its commitment to music on television, and we support ideas for a regular primetime TV music show being pitched at the BBC and elsewhere. We need to celebrate events like BBC Electric Proms – not further reduce BBC TV’s music output.”
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
BPI - Adam Liversage on 020 7803 1326 / 0780 1179032 or email adam@bpi.co.uk.
About BPI
The BPI is the representative voice of the UK recorded music business. The BPI is a trade organisation funded by its members - which include hundreds of independent music companies and the UK’s four major record labels. The BPI’s members account for approximately 90% of all recorded music sold in the UK, and globally the UK's recorded music market is the third biggest.
The BPI also organises the annual BRIT Awards show as well as the Classical BRIT Awards show. The organising company BRIT Awards Limited, is a fully owned subsidiary of the BPI. Substantial proceeds from both shows go to the BRIT Trust, the charitable arm of the BPI that has donated almost £15m to charitable causes nationwide, since its foundation in 1989.