Yep it's become an obsession in the UK as well. I HATE watching a tv programme with crappy music spoiling the storyline. My wife watches QVC ( Shopping telly ) a lot as she needs a wheelchair to get out & about and she finds this a great way of getting pressies. They have horrid music when the ruddy presenters are talking. Even a couple of the presenters have made catty remarks about it.

I'm surprised they don't have music on news channels.

My other bugbear is loud music in shops & supermarkets !! They wonder why folk then shop online ??? Duh !!