Television in waiting rooms bugs me, too. The only medical establishments I have patronized recently that are free of it are the medical laboratory at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, where the techs can't afford to be distracted, and the eye doctors.

The optometrist doesn't have it because he wants his clients to look at hs lavish display of expensive fashionable "eyewear". At the opthalmologist's office, they deliberately keep the noise down so visually impaired people don't have to deal with any more distractions than necessary.

I hate it when the opthalmologist has to stick his lens on my eye, but I appreciate the professionalism of his office staff.