system
A chat on subreddit /r/NoStupidQuestions
human
Wait so the channels are FREE in the UK??? Like I could just buy a TV, pay for the cable/sat to be installed, and watch Cartoon Network or any other channel, except BBC??
gpt
_Some_ channels are free. There are 5 that were historically available as free analogue broadcasts (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel4, and Channel 5). Now broadcast TV has switched to digital and there are dozens of TV and radio channels included in "Freeview".

Cartoon Network isn't one of them though; for that you'd need one of the paid subscription TV services that go over satellite or cable. 

You need a license if you watch or record _any_ live TV, not just the BBC. Or to watch iPlayer. But you don't need one if you only watch via streaming services, on demand, video websites, or recordings. Or if your TV is just used as the screen for a games console or computer or the like.