LONDON - This week, the BBC profiled Roxette’s record label in a program entitled “EMI & Me”. The program, which is part of a six-part series, examines a series of British-born organizations and discusses how they have adapted their business practices in their respected tough economical markets, over their many years of operating.

  Interestingly, the program attributes EMI’s (Electrical and Musical Industries) early financial success to the development of radar technology during the World Wars. It wasn’t until EMI secured the distribution rights of Elvis’s UK releases that their music empire started to really evolve.

  Their greatest musical success has always been The Beatles. This four man band enabled EMI to not only sell a great many records, but it also allowed them to sell in many new territories for the first time, most noticeably America.

  In the late 90’s, EMI had gained an unhealthy attraction to big name artists who commanded multimillion pound contracts. One such notable example is Mariah Carey, who signed with EMI for £36 million, only to be later released early from her contract due to poor record sales for a sizable £20 million.

  Recently, EMI was in merger discussions with New York-based Time Warner. This was eventually called off because of regulatory concerns with the monopolies commission.

  The program concluded that EMI has been forced to trim most of its fat by shedding 1,800 jobs worldwide. And consolidating its existing artists who include: Kylie Minogue, Iron Maiden, Radiohead, Tina Turner and Robbie Williams. Robbie recently renewed his contract with EMI for an alleged £80 million.

  Editor’s note: Many fans have noted that “The Ballad Hits” album was released on the “Capitol Records” label. Roxette’s record company is still EMI and Capitol is one of the labels owned by the EMI corporation.

• BBC’s “… and Me” series