I prefer those daisy dukes but I think both would be illegal these days...

Then again Deadpool is trying pretty hard

 

It is on most new TVs, mine has it, but I don't use it because I'm afraid it would cut down on the dynamics that should be there.

 

Well, it's ten years now since I have been last to the states but I imagine it only got worse so I'll make the comparison on what I remember from back then. In Germany, where I'm from, the broadcasting situation is generally divided into two segments: public broadcasting and private broadcasting companies. Public broadcasting is quite large here and under federal funding. Every household has to pay a certain amount per month to fund public broadcasting (unless you're a student or under welfare) so their budget is quite something, about nine billion euros I think. Opposed to private broadcasting companies, public broadcasting has the mandate to support arts, culture and education as well as to entertain, so there is quite a diverse programming going on. They will broadcast symphonies, small sports events and other events, also on a very regional basis, that would otherwise get very little attention and the broadcasts of such events means a significant boost in funding for those events. Plus, public broadcasting delivers excellent news without the pressure of having put out sensationalist bs to gain market share. Although being under funding from the government they are independent. You often see public broadcasting conducting investigations that are quite negative for the government, or other major players. E.g., the ARD (the biggest public broadcasting company) is one of the leading forces when it comes to uncovering doping conspiracies by large sports federations.
Nice sideeffect of the public funding: there are almost no advertisments on public broadcasting channels.
The private broadcasting sector is quite like in the US, I think. They broadcast what sells, so you have the aforementioned bachelor-talent-model-cooking bs all over the place.

 

R128 => I've tried both ways.The last 1-2 years i think, i was on it.Nop i don't see stuff changing lately.I don't even think that they adopted this standard.In fact several TV stations still use mono signal output in order to pay less data on the digital encode providers.The last time i asked the head technician on broadcasting HD instead of DV (we deliver all our shows in Full HD) he told me in the next 2-3 years cause the providers ask triple the money for HD broadcasting (due to triple data rates).

i don't mix in 5.1. I struggle to convince all the major TV stations to broadcast in stereo (instead of mono) so i can use the pan pot at least.They are so F***ing morons.For example a TV station recently upgraded all it's studios and stuff.They've bought the latest grassvalley systems for video and 2 Soundcrafts for audio. Vi6 and Vi1.And they still broadcast in MONO.Even my grandma owned STEREO discs.Anyway the LTRT decoding might be helpful if you know how to set it up.There are several "modes" on perceiving the mix (film music voice etc so you could have a decent mix).The average user though, don't even try to configure their TVs.Even though we imagine living in a world that all network was in 5.1 etc, And users were listening to the ltrt stereo, you can deliver a stereo down mix of your 5.1 mix and check it on your own.But we are far from that yet.

 

On the other hand there is a BBC police series "Luther" which has good music. It`s a good one too.

What really is apalling: the music played during the commercial breaks when you watch NBA basketball. I mean the music when the cheergirls a doing their dance act.

 

Many of the commercials are much worse than themes. That lousy Ford commercial that has been running since February "Let me hear you say truck yeah" makes me want to drive a Ford into a wall. Soooo many times a day on many channels.

 

I hear ya.. But give it some time, or try to communicate with the Network operators over there: If and when they upgrade to R128 and stereo. I guess premium subscriptions and providers are on par with at least stereo, many already do 5.1. But it's a money thing, you're right.

 

Why i agree a lot of todays TV is brilliant , most is not from major networks ( the big 3) but they are hamstrung by outdates conservative rules about nudity/Language and Violence. netflix HBO showtime etc are not.
your admiration for Miami Vice is either you live in Europe ( which boggles my mind to this day what people think is good TV or your Taking the piss. cause Miami Vice was a horrible program. at lease to abut 99% of intelligent people with a pulse In America... granted 100% of the inbreed or meat head sports and money crowd LOVED it... best thing Don Johnson has ever done is Django Unchained & his stint as Kenny Powers Dad on east Bound and down ( another great show)