we have a TV license fee in Norway for a state channel called NRK.
In the USA, Public Television (PBS) is free. They receive some funding from state and federal governments, but we are not charged any fees. However, several times a year, PBS stations/network do ask for donations from viewers as the government continually cuts back on their funding.We do not have cable, and rely on "free tv". IMHO, most of what is on free TV is crap except for what is on PBS. I love shows like Nova, National Geographic, various Britcoms that are shown, etc. Good, quality, "family-friendly" programs. Other than PBS, the only other station we watch is a Christian station out of PA.