//Being a bit pedantic, but it also funds Channel 4 and S4C.//
Being a bit factually correct, no it doesn’t. From a FOI request Channel 4’s funding:
//We can confirm that Channel 4 is a publicly-owned, but commercially-funded public service broadcaster. Channel 4 was launched on 2nd November 1982 with a unique business model, under the Broadcasting Act 1981. We are funded predominantly by advertising and sponsorship, but unlike other broadcasters such as ITV, Channel 4 is not shareholder owned. Furthermore, we do not receive any public funding, including any portion of the TV
Licence fee. You can find more information about our funding in our annual report, which is available via our website at
http://www.channel4.com/info/corporate/a.... You can also
access copies of all previous annual reports via this link.//
In 2007, owing to severe funding difficulties, the channel sought government help and was granted a payment of £14 million over a six-year period. The money was to have come from the television licence fee, and would have been the first time that money from the licence fee had been given to any broadcaster other than the BBC. However, the plan was scrapped and other methods of emergency funding were explored.