That was easier a decade ago, when government-owned stations overseas gobbled up American products without much thought to ratings.

They have gone from government-owned stations to privately owned companies.

The owners, though, say they have little choice, citing Mr. Chávez's own attacks on the press and the conduct of the government-owned station, Venezolana de Televisión.

The government-owned station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

And with privately owned TV stations replacing government-owned stations in many countries, new programming will be essential, and the N.B.A. will be a high priority.

It is a government-owned station that broadcasts in 13 languages around the world, with a majority emphasis on Mandarin-language broadcasts over shortwave into China.

The CPB and virtually all government-owned stations are funded through general taxes, and donations from individual persons (usually in the form of "memberships") and charitable organizations.

Seven army trucks headed for the headquarters of the government-owned station Channel 4, where fierce fighting occurred between the forces.

The station's formula for success is a lively, fast-paced format that contrasts with the often dull programming of Africa's government-owned stations.

Many government-owned stations portray their nation in a positive, non-threatening way.