Well, there is one way around this ridiculous system: download programs on the internet. I've picked up quite a few good British series this way, programs which are not available where I am. For example, I downloaded the Time Team series, and a number of murder mysteries (Midsummer Murders, Inspector Lewis) among others. I find that the production of other British programs, such as "Who Do You Think You Are?", is decidedly better than their American equivalents. The more it goes, the closer I am to disconnecting the satellite receiver and going solely with internet downloads of programs that are of interest to me, and not to money-grubbing advertisers.