watching tv on laptop during travels

Is there a way I can watch tv on my laptop? I'm hoping for something that will work worldwide. I'm going to the US and UK, and I'd like it to work at home in New Zealand as well if poss.
Thanks for helping me out, I'm a bit technically challenged!

Most USB TV adapters only support PAL (UK) or NTSC (USA), but not both. However, I have found one that looks like it might do the job: Compro

I haven't used it, nor I have I seen reviews for it - so research it for yourself, and proceed with caution.

Another note of caution - to watch TV legally here in the UK, you'd need a TV licence...

I'm not sure if it's available where you live, but there's a thing here in the US called slingbox that attaches to your home TV & then sends the show to your laptop over a broadband internet connection. Not sure if that would work for your situation, but it might be an option.

It costs money, but you might also be able to buy/download shows from itunes.

Checked out the link thanks Lan :)
Do these things all need bunny ears? I was thinking it would be a card of some sort with a small attached aeriel (like mobile internet cards) . Would put me off if I needed bunny ears! Thought my the days of fiddling with those for decent reception were over.

Slingbox works brilliantly. I have friends who live six months in Mexico and six months in California.
It changes the channels back at home and you tune in on computer.
I think it needs a cable box (tuner or channel changer) or satellite dish (tuner/channel changer) working the whole time back home and the account paid for monthly while you are away, of course.

Check out Joost - Free Internet TV, sign up while you can... over 100 channels available.

alice: It depends on the area really - with analogue TV you do need some form of aerial, most TV dongles are supplied with a little aerial like an FM radio tends to have. Sometimes that'll be more than enough, sometimes it'll be hopelessly inadequate. My brother uses one just fine, I'm a mile and half from him, and we need a 20ft mast on the roof, with an amplifier, and we're still marginal ;)

Yes, go for internet TV or even Youtube.com, I just watched a whole series (40 episodes) of a Hong Kong TV drama using Tudou.com!

Have a look at this http://stage6.divx.com/videos/</a> the quality blows youtube out of the water. I'm getting addicted to it :-)

And I like the fact that Stage6 even provides a link for direct download. You can beat the quality, but all the popular clips are on Youtube.com

If you going off the beaten track, don't be surprised if antennas even rabbit ears or masks do not work.
Many NZders need satellite dish just to receive free to air channels.
There is a new one called FREEVIEW I think, its a free to air satellite dish that provides the free channels only.