I am now confronting the issue of watching television. I recognize very specific points like potential electricity issues as well as the more general problems with watching organized sports, the violence in news, worldly programs, etc., but what about Bible-study/devotional programming, or even things like the nature shows?

It is forbidden to watch television, educational or otherwise, on Shabbat because of prohibitions relating to Shabbat. On other days, you have to apply self-censorship to what you watch (including commercials) and not spend quality time that could otherwise be dedicated to Torah study or good works.