In fairness this was more akin to how premium channels worked, your HBO, Starz, Showtime, etc. They typically had much less episodes per season and it wasn't uncommon to go long stretches of time between seasons (sometimes years). I do agree with you in your frustration when it's coming down to one show but the format isn't really any different than other premium channels that you'd pay on top of cable (or have to get a high cable package) to get.
Observationally your foreign shows also have less episodes, British shows for example their series (their more common term for seasons) often has far fewer episodes than we would have for shows.