Why is this thread showing as being 'Solved'? It's far from solved. Does anyone know how to change that?
Sorry but the DRM argument is rubbish. As others have said our DRM is checked when we download from the iTunes Store. Home sharing checks (via internet) when it's linked to your AppleTV during setup. I'm totally fine with this and understand the need for the AppleTV to 'call home' to check it's allowed to play content.
But that should be it. At that point there should be no other need for AppleTV to link to the iTunes Store. All the checks that are required should have been done.
The forum isn't monitored so please everyone fill in a report at: http://www.apple.com/feedback/appletv.html
Hopefully Apple will realise that not everyone has a stable internet connection and fix this stupid bug.