How can I watch standard United Kingdom programming via satellite from
my home in the United States?  Specifically, I am interested in
accessing the BBC1, BBC2, Channel 3 (ITV/HTV) and Channel 4 networks. 
Signal type support (i.e. PAL/NTSC) is not an issue for me; my plasma
television supports all standards.

Receiving BBC services outside the UK via digital satellite

"The BBC's domestic digital services via satellite are, and always
have been, intended solely for a UK audience. We cannot advise on
matters relating to reception outside the UK":
http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/answers.shtml#receiving


In the UK the BBC channels are being transmitted unencrypted via
satellite. The satellite transmissions of ITV and Channel 4 are
scrambled.

Footprint of the satellite Astra 2D carrying the BBC programmes:
http://www.ses-astra.com/satellites/beam/beamByXpr.php?pos=2&sat=ASTRA+2D&xpr=41,+42,+43,+44,+45,+46,+47,+48,+49,+50,+51,+52,+53,+54,+55,+56

Services on Astra 2D:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/factsheets/docs/astra_digital_tv.pdf

"Channels from United Kingdom" broadcasting free to air:
http://www.lyngsat.com/freetv/United-Kingdom.html

There could of course be a subscription based service of British
channels in the United States. But I doubt that this would include the
UK domestic services such as BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Although not actually a U.K. station--it's part of the Discovery
Channel family, I believe--perhaps BBC America can fill your needs. 
http://www.bbcamerica.com/.  PBS stations also show some British
content http://www.pbs.org/.

If you wish to purchase a multimillion dollar radio telescope, you
will find a decent picture briefly from thousands of transmiters and
satellites up to half way around the world. In some cases you can
purchase the descrabling service even if you live far outside the
usual service area. A reasonable number of channels are not encripted.
I know of no other alternatives other than those correctly suggested
by others before me.  Neil

You could expand on the suggestion fp made: Buy a cable company, and
add as many foreign channels as you wish. The cost would be high to
get some channels into your cable line up, but some the other cable
customers would likely be enthused and tolerate moderate increases in
their cable bill. Other cable companies would likely want to buy your
access, so there is a slight possibility that you would make a profit.
Neil