Here is an excerpt from an article on the web about the Emmy nominations

" "The Sarah Silverman Program," and edgy HBO series "Big Love," about polygamous families, and AMC's "Breaking Bad," about a meth-making schoolteacher, broke into the best drama series ranks.

The dividing line falls neatly between the adventurous shows fielded by niche cable networks and the largely mainstream, predictable offerings from broadcasters.

"It couldn't be on any broadcast network," said "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston, a best-actor nominee. "Ten, 15 years ago you'd say that was a downfall. Now it's one of the positive points of television. If you can be a show that's on cable instead of broadcast, more than likely, you have a much greater chance of producing quality television." "

I'm sorry. Since when does a polygamous family and a meth-making school teacher qualify as "quality television"?
Apparently programs need to be "edgy" and "adventurous" to be considered quality television. Apparently the definition of "edgy" and "adventurous" is "sinful" and "illegal". If you're not, you're mainstream and predictable. How boring.

Now, admittedly, I haven't seen any of these shows since we don't have those channels. I am only commenting on the concept that if it is inappropriate for broadcast tv, it is more likely to be a lower quality show. I bet House, Lost, 30 Rock, and The Office would disagree as well.