TV in europe is not what you imagine. Yes we have FTA channels but those are lame. And often you can't understand the language or the channel is dubbed like in germany and even those will be encrypted soon.
Each country has it's own pay-tv package(s) and encryption system. You can't subscribe to a package outside your own country. (and country's are small here) Prices for pay tv in the US are way cheaper. You guys get more value for your money. If i look at websites like dish or directv it's like a dream.
Let's take the Netherlands where i live. We have Canal Digitaal Satelliet. They carry about 40 channels.
http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/canaldigitaal.html The dutch thematic channels are cable only
We don't have HD channels. You need to buy your own dish and receiver. No free installs. No 3 room systems. For every receiver you need to buy a extra smartcard + pay full subscription fees. We don't have a decent program guide or TiVo. Ofcourse not every pay-tv package is that bad. A decent one is Sky Digital from the UK.
About programming.. Most shows are bad ripoffs from a US version. You won't believe the amount of reruns. And don't watch the news.. it's about 90% about the middle east. It's like our own news is less important. We don't have real locals. Although there is a definate need for localnews. Local-tv means nothing here and is done by volumteers. (only on cable) It's not really supported by the goverment.
I agree there are many different dishes in europe mostly because people are watching many satellites using a dreambox and cardsharing. That's really popular here. I also have access to all mayor pay-tv packages in europe using this system. But if i could receive a us package i would definately subscribe and gladly pay for it.
Lucky for me i have feedchannels and one is carrying WABC from NY right now
The rest of my US programming (tv-shows) i get off the internet/usenet. I watch more downloaded stuff in HD than actual live TV