the original analogue terrestial broadcast TV network (which carries only BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel4 and Channel5)

Don't forget the super-low budget local channels - I think there's about a dozen now. The nearest one here is Portsmouth TV. Their transmitter is on the 30m high submarine escape training tower in Gosport and broadcast about 1kW - not a lot compared to the 135m Rowridge (Isle of Wight) transmitter which is 500kW.

All the other networks are subscription driven (though there are some free channels on Sky, the BBC ones and lots of channels that just carry infomercials).

We have three Sky Digital receivers and only one subscription - you can get a free card from the BBC which gives you access, though they are going completely free-to-air at the end of the month so you won't even need that (Europeans - fill your boots!). There are a lot of free news channels and many, many radio stations too (all the BBC stations, Capital FM, Capital Gold, LBC, Virgin, Classic FM etc..)

On other point, most UK runs are produced in one go and are generally complete by the time it is broadcast - I believe many US shows film broadly in chronological order and are still in production when they series begins.

Gareth