The BBC always used to show an advert to try to persuade people to pay the TV Licence, a charge which has never been popular. Perhaps because it’s inequitable and regressive, or perhaps because it’s a lot of money, people don’t like paying it.

The gist of this advert was that the TV Licence system allowed the BBC to take risks and produce the kind of content that would never have been possible on strict advertising-driven considerations alone. And it’s a fair point; it works quite well.

The catchphrase of the advert was, “Because of the unique way in which the BBC is funded, ...”

However, all I can say is, I’m glad I’m not paying for PetTV, “an interactive TV service aimed at cats, dogs, birds and even fish.”