In the U.S. we have the Corporation for Public Broadcasting created by an act of Congress. Funds are entirely tax-based and not optional (not even in theory). Americans largely don't have a problem with this due to the high quality of the programming, although there's an outcry of protest every so often.
As an outsider (Aussie), NPR's "All Things Considered" is a great show and well worth your tax dollars ;). Our national radio broadcaster plays it daily.
