Indies in stand-off with MTV: network seeks to strike new deals.(Music TV)

Artists such as The White Stripes, Craig David and Basement Jaxx could disappear from MTV's channels following the eruption of a potentially damaging row between independent labels and the TV company.

MTV stands accused of "bully boy" tactics after threatening to drop promos by indie-signed bands from March 31, following a year of negotiations over a new pan-European contract for broadcast rights.

A four-year deal signed by MTV and rights body VPL entitling indies whose promos were screened to a share of an estimated 1.6m [pounds sterling] indie royalties pot expired at the end of 2002. During negotiations with VPL throughout 2003, MTV is understood to have sought to halve the total it pays the indies to around 840,000 [pounds sterling] a year. However, VPL rejected the lower offer and MTV has now approached indie labels individually to get them to sign direct deals similar to the contracts it holds with the majors.

In a letter sent out by MTV Network Europe's corporate business affairs division two weeks ago, indies were informed that unless they signed a direct deal the broadcaster would not show their videos.

In a statement issued last Friday; MTV Networks Europe says it is trying to "simplify the system for licence payments for music ...