Life in the UK Test
Sign in
Back to A Modern, Thriving Society

Television, radio and the media

Study note

Television and radio are very popular in the UK, and there is a wide choice of channels and stations. The most important broadcaster is the BBC, which stands for the British Broadcasting Corporation. It is the largest broadcaster in the world and a public service broadcaster, which means it is independent of government but works in the public interest.

The BBC is funded mainly by the TV licence, a fee that households must pay if they watch or record live television. It is the only wholly state-funded but independent media organisation of its kind in the UK. Alongside the BBC there are many commercial channels, which carry advertising, and a range of newspapers. The key fact is that the BBC is paid for chiefly through the TV licence.

Memory tip: BBC = public broadcaster funded by the TV licence you need to watch live TV.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 1

How is the BBC mainly funded?

Score so far: 0 / 0
Show all questions and answers for Television, radio and the media(1 question with explanations)

Television, radio and the media: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. How is the BBC mainly funded?

    • By the government's general taxes only
    • By the TV licence paid by households
    • By the monarch
    • By the National Lottery

    Correct answer: By the TV licence paid by households

    The BBC is funded mainly by the TV licence that households pay.

Back to A Modern, Thriving Society, or try a mock test or timed exam.