[0] http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidelines/editoria...
EDIT: fixed policy name and added link
See, for example:
- The constant mention of speaking to people 'over Skype' on the News
- Publicization of Twitter hashtags on Questiontime and other programs
- Hours worth of Top Gear footage (and the entire Arctic Special) that were effectively Toyota Hilux advertisements
- A running gag that, iirc, covered multiple seasons, about the 'indestructibility' of a red 90s Toyota Hilux. Performing destructive stunts and then driving away with minimal/no repairs. No other cars were involved in this segment.
- A special, hour-long episode involving a grueling trip to the pole in a fleet of brand new, red Toyota Hiluxes.
Whichever way you look at it, this was fantastic advertising and brand reinforcement for Toyota.
When I was on the BBC I had to change my logo polo-shirt so as not to advertise my single-location SME business. Yet Nike, et al., logos are fine, as is advertising by sports teams, etc..
It's all very inconsistent.
The roads your drive on are almost certainly subsidised from beyond the direct taxes you pay on your car and fuel too.
(Genuinely not clear to me, not trying to be snarky.)
FWIW when I last researched the issue (maybe 3 years ago) there was also funding from direct taxation used for BBC activities; it was in the published accounts at least.