UK Music Companies Win A Round, Prevent Free BBC Radio Classical Downloads

The BBC’s limited-time free downloads of the BBC Philharmonic’s Beethoven symphonies during a marathon were a hit with everyone but the UK music industry, which protested the competition from a publicly subsidized operation. Talks began right away and the battle won’t be repeated during the 10-day Bach fest that kicks off Dec. 16 on BBC Radio 3. Some downloads may be offered but only with the music industry’s approval.
The “BBC as competition” issue is a serious ongoing discussion in the UK so this is no surprise. I do hope the industry backs away from one aspect raised back then — Naxos managing director Anthony Anderson’s unfortunate contention that music somehow loses value when offered free, even when it’s legal. “You are also leading the public to think that it is fine to download and own these files for nothing,” he said. Truly shortsighted.

Related: BBCi Nets 1 Million-plus Beethoven Downloads, Angers Music Execs

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