Digital TV through computer

Dad was telling me about some companies on the internet who are offering packages for people to download which give you the ability to watch digital tv on your computer. It seems there is a one off payment you can make to these companies (~36 euros) which buys you a package to load onto your computer which allows you to do this, but I'm quite suspicious.

Firstly I don't know if this kind of thing is even a) possible or b) legal. How does it work? Will it work for laptops as well? Do you get reasonable programs or is it "Bratislava TV" type stations?

Is there anyone in my vastly intelligent group of friends who knows anything about this because it sounds too good to be true (which these things usually are)

Unexpected but Lovely

Two unexpected but lovely phonecalls this evening. Firstly I was just getting a grip on what was happening in Dr Who, when racinghippo called, to use me for entertainment on his long walk home from the pub. He is of course lovely for mentioning that any "merkin" accent I may have picked up, has gone now. :) (*hugs*) and for describing the lovely scenery on the walk to me.

I hung up with him, and put my phone on charge, and the home phone rang. Who should be on the line? but dear birch_7 who I haven't heard from in forever. We did some catching up and lots of laughing, lots of reminiscing about "cuddles we have known" and people. A very good talk.

Speaking to both people has got me thinking about the difference between how you think someone's going to sound when you talk in real life, and how they actually sound.

What a lovely evening.