First of all, using preg_replace here is a sin!  You should be using str_replace, and if you were using str_replace you would not have to worry, since it has this feature.  But, assuming that you did need to match a regular expression, well, then just do array_fill for your search and pass it an array of matches and an array of keys and you will be good to go.  So no, you don't really need this feature.

I meant to say "pass it an array of matches and an array of replacements"

.

<?php

$tvPrograms = array('Simpsons', 'Southpark', 'Disney Time');
$data = '<tr><td>%col%</td><td>%col%</td><td>%col%</td></tr>';
$htmlDoc = preg_replace_callback('/%col%/', function($item) use(&$tvPrograms) {
    return array_shift($tvPrograms);
}, $data);
print $htmlDoc;

?>


# Result:
<tr><td>Simpsons</td><td>Southpark</td><td>Disney Time</td></tr>

Numerous alternatives available:
- str_replace() if no regex needed
- use array_fill() to pass an array
- use a callback as demonstrated above
etc. etc.