The Orange Order has said BBC Northern Ireland's decision to axe its live coverage of the Twelfth of July celebrations "defies logic".
It has been confirmed the live coverage of the Belfast parade, which has been televised by the BBC for decades, will be axed.
A meeting involving the corporation, Orange Order grand secretary Rev Mervyn Gibson and DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was held on Thursday, according to the BBC's Nolan Show.
Read more: Unionists slam BBC as live Twelfth of July coverage is axed
In a statement on Friday, a Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland spokesman said: "This decision by BBC NI was reached without meaningful discussion or consultation with the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland and is immensely disappointing and frustrating, not only for our members but for the many members of the public who watch the programme each year.
"We became aware of the plans to cancel the live broadcast during our annual Twelfth of July planning meeting with BBC NI staff.
"The Grand Secretary Rev. Mervyn Gibson and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, a former Assistant Grand Master and DUP Leader, then met with Interim Director of BBC Northern Ireland Adam Smyth and asked him to reconsider this decision.
"The BBC is a public broadcasting service and to cancel live coverage of the Twelfth of July - the biggest cultural event in Northern Ireland with tens of thousands taking part and hundreds of thousands more watching at the eighteen host venues – defies logic.
"We pointed out many people cannot attend Twelfth of July parades for a range of reasons. Many are housebound due to illness or old age, while others are in nursing homes – they are the people who will be impacted most by this decision.
"It is hard to accept this as anything other than a further snub to the wider Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist Community and our culture."
In a letter to Mr Gibson and Sir Jeffrey, BBC NI interim director Adam Smyth said the Belfast parade would be included within its usual evening highlights programme.
He said the hour-long programme involves "significant logistical effort", with coverage of Twelfth of July parades at locations across Northern Ireland.
"We think there is particular value in seeking to better/more fully reflect Orange Order events across the region, and that our highlights programme, which has been popular with local audiences, is the best means of achieving this objective," he said.
He acknowledged the "decision not to resume live television coverage of the Belfast demonstration may be disappointing for some people" but it followed "careful consideration" and "all usual editorial considerations".
Earlier, a spokesperson for BBC NI told the Belfast Telegraph that programming for the Tweflth was "still being finalised".
"It will likely involve dedicated television coverage from the Orange Order's regional events — something that we’ve been working to enhance over recent years," they said.
"This late evening programme has been popular with local audiences and our ambition is to further extend its reach, accessibility and appeal.
"We'll also reflect the day's spectacle alongside key stories and events within the BBC’s news services in Northern Ireland."
BBC NI insisted the public service broadcaster acknowledges the significance of the Twelfth tradition.
"We know that the Orange tradition is important for many people and that it forms part of the wider diversity of local society," it said.
"This is something that we'll want to describe and explain as part of our 12 July coverage, and more generally."
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