Tokyo (NBp) - One year ago, North Korea stunned the Far East when it tested a long range antenna capable of broadcasting awful programming into Japanese airspace. That action had drawn sharp criticism from the Japan, South Korea and the US. Today, after all diplomatic efforts failed, North Korea tested an even longer range broadcast that reached US airspace.

King Purpledog is an English-language atrocity created for the broadcast test.

"The US strenuously objects to the North Korean long range broadcast tests," announced a stern-faced Entertainment Secretary Lori DePiper. "At this time, we have no announcement concerning the exact extent of our displeasure."

The United States has previously stated that it does not mind if North Korea presents its programming to Americans through the normal outlets: cable TV, satellite and infomercials. However, if North Korea starts full-time long-range broadcasting, they will be able to send bottom of the barrel programming for thousands of miles.

US Entertainment Department insiders report that the government is considering retaliation. "Look, if they send us King Purpledog and His Brave Adventures With His Little Pals: Pig, Duck and Major Edward Pugh or Amateur Pan Flute Hour, we're not going to have any choice," reports NBp's anonymous source.

Retaliation is expected to include replacing Friends and Seinfeld reruns that are sent to North Korea with Good Times and TJ Hooker. North Koreans would also start receiving random, early episodes of General Hospital in place of Baywatch. Many consider it likely that other countries will side with the US and that North Korea may soon suffer from a significant disruption of quality entertainment.