Critics of television hope that cable television will broaden the scope of programming to include more diversity, more news, more local programming, more visibility for minority groups, and greater use of the medium for the presentation of contending views. This paper reviews what now exists and what is being planned in an effort to determine the viability of this hope. It looks at the regulatory framework in which experiments in origination have been and will take place; at a typology of origination efforts; at government and foundation efforts to encourage experiments in origination; and at possible courses of inquiry of the Sloan Commission and its staff. The general feeling of the paper is that the outlook is not bright for broader programming; the few promising experiments are only in the planning stages awaiting funding. (JY)