Why Western Programming so Popular? (Updated)

From Superman to Spiderman, from 24 to Lost, those popular Western programs, I think you probably know it very well, why? Those programs and movies we watch them every night. How about viewers in other countries? Do they love those programs? I can tell you that those programs are popular, especially in Asia, so how come they love those programs, what is the influence?

American culture is a kind of Western culture, compares to the Eastern culture, or more accurately, Oriental culture, Western culture is relatively more active, and open-minded. In Asia, since the historical background, especially their colonial background, the Western culture has influence there for a long time. And American culture has a large influence on the rest of the world, especially the Western world. American music is heard all over the world, and American movies and television shows can be seen almost anywhere. American culture chief early influence was British culture, due to colonial ties with the British that spread the English language, legal system and other cultural inheritances.

We know the United States has traditionally been known as a melting pot, but recent academic opinion is tending towards cultural diversity, pluralism and the image of a salad bowl rather than a melting pot. And those opinions has influence to other countries, where the people are also accept those Western culture. Perhaps as a result of being such a large single market / culture, some believe that Americans are relatively insulated and uninterested in the culture or political developments of other countries. America is one of few nations that has resisted changing to the metric system. Comparatively few books from non-English European countries or Asia are translated for sale in the United States. Imported films are generally less successful than domestic.

Americans also tend to travel to other countries less than citizens of European countries, partly because intercontinental travel from the United States typically entails much further distances than for Europeans resulting in much higher costs. The average American worker has fewer vacation days than the average European (10-15 rather than the European average of around 20). America's vast size also enables its citizens to go great distances, and see a variety of places, without leaving the country. For example, one can travel within the continental United States from a near-tropical climate (e.g. Southern Florida) to a mid-continental climate (Minnesota). California offers a large coastline, snow-capped mountains, prairies, and deserts within a single state. Lifestyles, food, and culture also tend to differ within the different regions.

Elements of Western culture have had a very influential role on other cultures worldwide. People of many cultures, both Western and non-Western, equate "modernisation" with "westernisation," but many non-Westerners object to the implication that all societies should also adopt Western ideas and values. Every element of these influences, its culture, its social aspects, with its style of living, that's the reason why the Western programs are popular around other countries.

Sources:
"Arts and entertainment in the United States." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
"Culture of the United States." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
"Western culture." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.