If it were not publicly funded would it survive the competition from other broadcasters? I'm curious to know if there are any "content rules" for the BBC? Do they have to air a percentage of programs written and produced in Britain, rather than in the media factories of the US? Is the BBC uniquely British, or is it just another outlet for tv garbage? We don't pay a license, but millions of tax-payer dollars go to support the CBC. Because of this we can hear classical and jazz etc on CBC radio, and good talk shows, not interrupted by annoying ads. And on CBC tv there are decent Canadian produced shows: Corner Gas, Trailer Park Boys, and Little Mosque on the Prairies are favs of mine; and Due South, I know, is a favorite of at least one AccyWeb member
. And these shows, written and produced in Canada, with Canadian actors might not survive without some form of govt. subsidy. On tv, the ad content is lower.