Quote Originally Posted by Centurion1 View Post
you cant compare the bbc as a business to any private american media company. they have to make money, the bbc is governemnt sponsored. two incredibly different models. as a result Americans get more variety (meaning: trash and trashier), brits get cheaper (is it free?) telly.
It's not free, no. You have to pay what amounts to a tax on your telly every year, of about £130.

That said, it's great value for money. No adverts, quality news reporting, free websites, a mandate to provide for every person in Britain; broadcasting is seen as a public service, and it is the right of all Britons to be able to both expect something they will enjoy from their television, and also experience balanced journalism.