Two sides 'apart' as music payment dispute talks stall
The director of BBC Cymru Wales has warned the deadlock in negotiations with the broadcasting rights agency, EOS, over the level of royalties for Welsh language music risks damaging a service that is at the heart of Welsh music and culture.
A large portion of the music played on BBC Radio Cymru could be withdrawn, and its broadcast hours reduced, unless a last-minute agreement is reached by 1 January.
Around 300 musicians have transferred the broadcast rights for their work to a new group called EOS and the agreement comes into force on New Year's day.
EOS criticised the BBC's offer but said it was willing to continue talks.
BBC Wales director Rhodri Talfan Davies told Oliver Hides on Radio Wales that the corporation had made a succession of offers to the musicians but they had all been refused and the two sides were "significantly apart".
He added that he wanted a settlement but every offer had been rejected.
21 Dec 2012
- From the section Wales