| Unlike the United States, England and Canada did not begin with private sector broadcasters.
In the very beginning, it was too expensive, too risky, and too important for private entities to take control of electronic media. There was also a much greater feeling for public service in these two countries. Different culture, call it.
In England, the BBC speaks to such a large audience, so that, over the years, it has produced in-house, and with external prodiction houses, for more variety than any of us on this side of the pond can know.
Over the years, as these two countries have diluted their airwaves with private broadcasters, the U.S. has experimented with PBS, and NPR--neither of which really anywhere near what the BBC and CBC were in their respective heydays.
One can only assume that with Thatcherism, and now Blatcherism, the Beeb faces a future not as bright as the past.
As has happenned in Canada, and in the United States since the Ronald Reagan budget cuts, and growing relentlessly since, all my local PBS station does is fundraise. The hopes and dreams of public sector agencies have been thwarted again. | 
