It broadcasts a mix of original programmes as well as popular foreign programming.

For example, will start-up costs mean a diet of bought-in popular programming, or is it an opportunity to offer something entirely different?

But critics argued that a handful of large companies already provide the most popular programming for the Internet, television and newspapers.

With popular programming available to alternative transmission technologies, competition to cable has a much greater likelihood of developing.

Pebble Mill became iconic because it featured in some of the most popular programming of the 1970s.

However, CBS continued to allow channel 13 to air some of its more popular programming.

Moreover, the creators of popular programming have a more direct relationship with consumers than the cable networks or Internet providers.

It would also own stakes in much of the most popular programming on cable, including CNN.

The prime-time emphasis is being placed on presumably more popular programming that might encourage viewers to become paying subscribers.

At the same time, individual public radio outlets have been striving for popular programming and granting commercial sponsors an increasing advertising presence on the air.