Personally, I think the idea of a publicly funded broadcaster independent from government with a mandate to help educate, entertain and inform absolutely free from commercial (and political!!!) influence is a fantastic thing. Something that works with us, invests and encourages and gives opportunities to home grown talent, that makes fantastic educational programming and, I would include news as well as quality entertainment. It should set a standard (and at times it has done) that commercial rivals need to then aspire to. For me the BBC just needs fixing (including options regarding precisely how it gets its funding). Its being run into the ground on purpose by those in power. It should be a crown jewel we are proud of, but that doesn't suit the billionaire media barons. Again look at the US ... we will keep heading that way like we are with the NHS, with adverts every 5 minutes and programming created for bottom lines. £14 a month for the extreme range it has produced is phenomenal value, an investment in our culture if you like. However ... its got severe rot, some of it from its own mistakes, but most if it deliberate sabotage because they don't want us to have nice things :(
