Radio listeners in Bulgaria can now start listening to modern music again. For past two months, they could only listen to music that was over 70 years old. dispute over copyright meant Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) could not play any pop music. Listeners could only listen to classical music or folk songs that were recorded before World War II. In European Union, copyright disappears 70 years after artist's death. BNR has now signed deal with copyright organization. In deal, BNR will pay more royalty fees. part of these fees goes to singer, band, composer or songwriter of song or piece of music. Every time the radio plays song, it must pay royalties to artist.
Something surprising happened during two-month dispute over copyright and royalties. number of listeners to BNR's shows increased by 20 per cent. After radio station started playing only Bulgarian folk tunes, classical music and pre-war jazz, more people started listening to radio. It seems many listeners are more interested in listening to older music than Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift. BNR is now thinking about changing its music programming. BNR boss Aleksandar Velev said there could even be new radio stations. Mr Velev told reporters: "We will not change profiles of current radio shows. Instead, we will launch new radio stations with more types of music."
