The report, Intellectual Property Crime And Enforcement In Australia, noted the industry now loses about $45 million annually due to illegally copied content. But this rises to nearly $200 million when tax losses and secondary revenues such as advertising are factored in. Faster, cheaper broadband connections and new software making downloading easier are behind the boom, the researchers found.

But it has also been driven by an impatient demand for must-see US and British shows, which has prompted Seven, Nine and Ten to fast-track episodes of popular programs. As a result of illegal downloading , numerous hit programs - including The Mentalist, Californication, Supernatural, NCIS, House, The Amazing Race and Heroes - are now aired within days of their release overseas. Australian networks are also giving internet-savvy viewers the opportunity to legally download programs from their own websites. Fans of the cancelled series McLeod's Daughters can download the show from Nine's site. Ten provides downloads including Neighbours and Good News Week.

A Channel Seven spokesman said: "Television is successful because it reflects consumer demands and fast-tracking of some programs from the United States to counter any impact from downloading is one strategy. "Our key strategy is one of creating and producing programs you can only see on Seven, such as Sunrise, Dancing With The Stars and Packed To The Rafters."

Overseas programs that are not fast-tracked are being left in the dust. The finale of Dr Who series four ran locally last month on the ABC as one of its best-rating shows but for downloaders the episode was old hat six months ago. The Cartoon Network last week announced its November 22 launch of the long-awaited Star Wars franchise animation, Clone Wars, but it is already available on the internet. Even hit TV shows scheduled for US prime-time broadcast can be copied in New York and ready to download in Sydney before they legitimately go to air in LA three hours later, because of the cross-country time difference.

Leading internet monitor Envisional said users with the right software can leave their home PCs to scan and download the latest available releases. The study concluded more than one in five Australians have watched or purchased a pirated film or TV show.

The TV Superhighway * House: 1 day (after the US) * Kath & Kim: 3 days

* Californication: 7 days * NCIS: 7 days

* Supernatural: 11 days * The Mentalist: 12 days * Heroes: 17 days

* Amazing Race: 18 days