German TV and Sync Licenses

[MBantle]

Dear All,
This more kind of a comprehensive question. When I watch German television even minor cooking shows seem to have the entire current Top 40 music playing in the background. How does that work from a licensing perspective? The following article says that they do not have to clear rights in Germany (it is apparently the same in UK) but I could not find any better information online. Maybe one of you can shed some light as I would really like to understand the differences between Europe and the States in that respect.
Cheers,
Matt