Variety has a front page report on the funding situation at the BBC…

The BBC’s worst fears were confirmed Thursday as the British government announced the pubcaster’s funding for the next six years — some £2 billion ($3.9 billion) less than it had sought…BBC director general Mark Thompson said the deal was “a real disappointment” as media minister Tessa Jowell outlined increases to the current $258 fee payable by all U.K. households that watch TV.