Private ownership of broadcast networks seems to be effective in different parts of the world, including the United States. But in Britain, even with its main competitors owned by corporations, BBC is fighting hard to stay citizen-supported.

The Guardian in the United Kingdom said BBC is preparing to release a report that shows it spurs $12.3 billion for the British economy annually. Providing its own economic stimulus, BBC claims if it were owned by a private corporation, the United Kingdom would actually be $6.5 billion in the hole.

The report comes as BBC tries to stave off new efforts from British lawmakers to slash support to the network as economic conditions worsen. The network, home to shows such as "Doctor Who" and "Torchwood," is the world's largest broadcasting company funded almost entirely by an annual television license fee paid for by every British household.

That fee can vary depending on what contract has been worked out between the group established to run the media company through its Royal Charter. However, BBC also generates a significant amount of revenue from the worldwide sale of its properties, which are typically sold to commercial stations.

Even still, government officials are eyeing the revenue it takes from license fees, with ideas to use it for something else.

James Murdoch, the European head of News Corp., which in the United States owns the Fox television properties as well as a stake in Sky Television, a primary competitor for the government-run broadcaster, has called for BBC to shrink significantly.

At the same time, there are other critics who have slammed how much BBC pays its talent. It's not clear if some of that criticism has been passed down to its signature shows like "Doctor Who," which reportedly paid its new star Matt Smith far less than what David Tennant received over four years in the role.

It's not the first time BBC has come under such scrutiny, and so far it's survived. Many observers expect BBC to pull through this virtually unscathed as well, with economic impact reports such as this one helping to pave the way.