This question has a pure theoretical aspect for me, but seeing that many professionals are warming up to AVCHD format I am curious, is it possible or will it be possible to shoot in AVCHD and then have video accepted by networks?

AFAIK, despite that HDV is a consumer format, it is now accepted by many networks. Obviously, as MPEG-2 stream on tape. What about AVCHD? Will printing to tape in MPEG-2 be necessary or is there any way to deliver original AVCHD files? I've heard that AVCHD does not support smart rendering, I suppose this is not an inherent flaw of the format, but the lack of full-blown support by NLE vendors.

As I see it, at this point one has to have HDV camcorder or deck to print to tape, in order to deliver HD video acceptable by networks. Am I missing something?

What you're missing is that the single most widely accepted format for submitting broadcast masters to air is HDCAM. Therefore not even an HDV camcorder or deck will suffice, nor does it matter much; as long as the deliverable is handed over on HDCAM, what does it matter how it was acquired... although some networks impose limitations upon the acquisition format if the broadcast is intended for an HD network (Discovery HD is one such example).

Content is King, ultimately. If the material is compelling, then the acquisition format is a non-issue (example: even cell phone video goes to air on a regular basis, just watch any news channel for proof).

What you're missing is that the single most widely accepted format for submitting broadcast masters to air is HDCAM. Therefore not even an HDV camcorder or deck will suffice, nor does it matter much; as long as the deliverable is handed over on HDCAM
So whos obligation to transcode original footage to HDCAM? Would a network do it itself if it is interested in the footage?
some networks impose limitations upon the acquisition format if the broadcast is intended for an HD network (Discovery HD is one such example).
Right, I think I've read requirements of either Discovery or BBC... They even state what camera to use. How can they verify it? Is this sort of information recorded in video metadata? What if I printed edited video to tape, how would they know what camera did I use?
Content is King, ultimately. If the material is compelling, then the acquisition format is a non-issue (example: even cell phone video goes to air on a regular basis, just watch any news channel for proof).
An accident, a car crash or a tornado recorded by an accedental bystander on a cell phone is one thing. I am talking about footage that is not going to make top headlines. Something more normal.