A lot of gals like to have the TV playing in the background during a session.   I don't care for it as I find it distracting, but I figure they like it because in their thinking the noise from the TV drowns out the noise from the session, and that makes them feel more comfortable about it.   In any case, I've grown to accept and tolerate it.

the "noise" distracting and if they want something in the background, to take a few minutes and find some soft instrumental (elevator) music (no singing) and they can turn it up as much as the want, because I don't find it distracting.   Never had a girl appear the least bit annoyed at this request, so there may be something to your observation that they just want "something" going on to cover up whatever noise WE'RE making, especially if her husband is watching TV in the living room.  

It doesn't happen at the AMPs and never had it happen at the AAMPs. It's more of a hotel thing, in my experience.  I do ask for the TV to be turned off or at least turned down.  
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Your "drown out noise" theory could be valid, but I'm not noisy vocally and I ask her to use plenty of lube to cut down on the screeching and squealing sounds when I put "the rubber to the road."    
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To your main point, I do not recall what shows were on that I was trying to ignore.  I don't know why they would watch so many real life crime shows. (Are they sending you a message, mrfisher?)  I do remember that the CL Killer in Boston, a med school student who robbed some Providers and killed another, was captured, tried, convicted and committed suicide in prison and was on one of those shows:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Markoff  
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-craigslist-killing-case-overview/
48 Hours: "THE CRAIGSLIST KILLING: CASE OVERVIEW
The Murder, The Suspect And How He Was Caught"
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Maybe it's the psyche thing, a subtle reminder to be careful with any guest you invite into your room?

because the actors that they get to play me in these reenactments don't often look too much like me anyways.

I think they are bored and are paying attention to the show as much as possible while we do our thing.  Though I only recall a couple sugar babes who had the TV on in the background. Better than when they whip out the smartphone and fade into it.

...are in their early to mid 20's and prefer to play music from their phones. It honestly doesn't matter much to me as long as they are happy

your face down between their legs, they are ALL happy.  Lol    

Happy to say no complaints so far

that a little distraction on TV is what would keep us  sane.

To train yourself to give a customer/client the same undivided attention when you are self-employed as an employer would demand when you are working for someone else.  If an employee of mine had a TV going while he/she was with a client, they would be summarily discharged.  Its a lack of courtesy and respect, IMO.  Good service is good service, and I don't think there are exceptions that allow lower standards in certain industries like sex work.  Just my opinion.  If you have a lot of customers who are one-and-done, maybe its an issue and you don't realize it.