I use a lot of BBC - I don't watch loads of tv, but I listen to the radio and the website, so I don't have any problem paying the licence fee. Pre-TV, they had a radio licence.
I like the fact that programs don't get interrupted by adverts, and resent the hell out of ad breaks when watching other channels.
QVC have noticeably increased the number of in-show ads for other things. I imagine they charge brands for their on-air hours, and I'd be getting my stopwatch out if I was one of the brands and see whether the price I'm being charged for an hour still represents good value. I doubt that anywhere near 1 hour is devoted to selling the brand.
I know, because it's live TV, they have to put in breaks to ensure the program flows smoothly... but I think Ideal World have the right idea: the in show VT breaks are for the on-air brand, not whatever's coming next or during the week.