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 Smash hit "Downton Abbey"
British Television in America British television is a godsend to the Anglophile. Many shows that air on America's PBS--including many serial programs on Masterpiece Theater and Mystery!--are produced by the BBC. Such television shows are a primary means by which Anglophiles learn about British culture. Not all PBS stations air British programming, though most do. And of those that do, each station is free to air the specific programs they want--or, more accurately, to buy the ones they can afford. British programming tends to be relatively expensive. For the Anglophile, PBS can never carry too many Brit shows! For this reason, we frequently pledge financial support to our local PBS stations during their fund drives. Anglophiles may also watch British programming by subscribing to BBC-America through their cable carrier. BBC-A allows viewers to catch the very latest in British television! Looking for other outlets for British TV?
British Television in Britain Brits often use the endearing term "telly" for television. BBC ("the Beeb") was Britain's first broadcast provider, but over the years, many competing networks have sprung up. Nowadays, of course, cable and satellite television are big. Two major players are Sky (satellite) and Virgin TV (cable). BBC, however, is the only TV provider that is free of advertising. It exists by decree of a royal charter and receives its operating money from the government. Owners of television sets pay an annual "licensing fee" to fund it. (No fund drives needed!) BBC's stated mission is to provide the British people with public broadcasting services offering high quality content and news. And high quality it is! BBC's news programs, which are broadcast around the world, are considered by many as the gold standard of journalism--particularly in this age of editorialized news. And BBC's delicious comedy and drama programming is snapped up by whomever can afford it!
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