While I don't agree with the idea of keeping the TV on while training or while instruction is being given (unless that is where the instruction is coming from), could it be that the owners of the place were just trying it out to see what is acceptable or not, what is a distraction and what is not?
People learn differently today, what is a distraction for me watching a movie at home is nothing to my 18 yr old son, in fact it is normal. If I'm watching a movie I want to get into it, be totally there with the story, my son will carry on 5 different conversations by texting on his phone while he is watching the same show.
I remember hearing the radio blaring on a disco station so the kick boxers in the rear room had a beat to do their bag work to. Again for me practicing out on the floor it was a distraction, for them they tuned it out and pounded to the beat.
Considering it is a Muay Thai, MMA type of a school I think the TV thing is a progression of being edgy, on the cutting edge so to speak. This is a totally different environment than the traditional dojo with the white walls, wooden floor, the shrine with all of the masters pictures around it etc. etc.
It could also be a commercial for the all of the hype, (Train here and you too can look and act like this) (drink this, eat this, etc. etc.) and products found in the MMA. Who knows.
Mark