International sales, distribution, and licensing has been a major cash cow of the TV industry for decades. It works in the other direction, as well, i.e., from

International sales, distribution, and licensing has been a major cash cow of the TV industry for decades. It works in the other direction, as well, i.e., from the USA to the UK (and to other countries). Your friend is correct in that the appeal of this cash cow is why the industry will fight tooth and nail before they have to put her out to pasture. The model is going to become irrelevant sooner or later, but for the time being, it's still paying off handsomely. It will go, but it won't go quietly.