50 Facts About C-span

The Birth of C-SPAN

C-SPAN has been a cornerstone of American public affairs broadcasting since its inception. Let's dive into its origins and early days.

1. Founding: C-SPAN was created in 1979 by the cable television industry to provide long-form, unfiltered, and balanced public affairs programming.
2. Initial Coverage: The network initially focused on televising the U.S. House of Representatives, with the first broadcast occurring on March 19, 1979.
3. Expansion: In 1986, the U.S. Senate agreed to televised coverage, leading to the launch of C-SPAN2, which carried Senate proceedings.
4. Additional Channels: C-SPAN3 was introduced in 2001 to provide access to additional public affairs events, including live coverage of key congressional hearings.

Funding and Governance

Understanding how C-SPAN operates financially and administratively is crucial to appreciating its independence and neutrality.

5. Funding: C-SPAN receives no government funding; instead, it is funded through license fees paid by television providers and limited advertising on digital platforms.
6. Board of Directors: The network's board of directors is composed of executives from television operating companies, ensuring a strong industry backing.
7. Neutrality Policy: C-SPAN adheres to a policy of neutrality, avoiding any form of sponsorship or endorsement of products and services advertised on its platforms.

Programming and Accessibility

C-SPAN's programming decisions and accessibility features make it a unique and valuable resource for public affairs content.

8. Programming Decisions: All programming decisions are made by C-SPAN's editorial team, which encourages submissions from sponsoring organizations.
9. Scheduling: The C-SPAN schedule can be found on the network's website, through the C-SPAN Now app, and via television provider program guides.
10. Mobile App: C-SPAN Now is the network's free mobile app, offering live and on-demand video coverage of U.S. House and Senate proceedings, congressional hearings, White House events, and more.

Radio and Podcasts

C-SPAN extends its reach beyond television through radio and podcasts, making its content accessible in various formats.

11. Radio Presence: C-SPAN Radio provides live audio coverage of C-SPAN events and is available via mobile app and in the Washington, D.C., area.
12. Podcasts: C-SPAN offers a variety of podcasts covering various public affairs topics, including congressional hearings and author interviews.

Engaging the Audience

C-SPAN has always prioritized viewer engagement, offering multiple ways for the public to interact with its content and guests.

13. Email Newsletters: The network provides email newsletters with updates on upcoming events and programming.
14. Social Media Presence: C-SPAN has a robust presence on social media platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Threads, ensuring wide reach and engagement.
15. Call-In Programs: One of C-SPAN's founding philosophies was focusing on the viewer, with call-in programs allowing direct interaction with elected officials, policymakers, and journalists.

Signature Programs

C-SPAN's signature programs have become staples for viewers interested in public affairs and historical content.

16. Washington Journal: The daily call-in program, the Washington Journal, is a flagship feature where viewers can engage with guests and discuss current events.
17. Book TV: Weekends on C-SPAN2 are dedicated to Book TV, which covers non-fiction book and author events, promoting literacy and public discourse.
18. American History TV: Since January 8, 2011, weekends on C-SPAN3 have been dedicated to American History TV, featuring historical lectures, oral histories, and special history series.

Educational Initiatives

C-SPAN is committed to education, offering various resources and programs to promote public affairs literacy.

19. C-SPAN Bus: The C-SPAN Bus, a 45-foot interactive learning center, was launched in 1993 to visit schools and community events across the nation, promoting public affairs education.
20. Video Library: In 2010, C-SPAN launched the Video Library, offering free access to over 160,000 hours of archived content dating back to 1987.
21. C-SPAN Classroom: The network has a dedicated educational initiative, C-SPAN Classroom, which provides resources and tools for teachers to integrate public affairs into their curriculum.
22. Teacher Fellowship: C-SPAN Classroom launched its annual summer Teacher Fellowship program to support educators in teaching public affairs and civic engagement.

Historical Coverage

C-SPAN has been present at numerous historical milestones, providing comprehensive coverage of significant events.

23. Supreme Court Coverage: Despite repeated requests, the Supreme Court has not allowed C-SPAN to televise oral arguments. However, since 2020, the court has provided a live audio feed, which C-SPAN broadcasts to its audience.
24. Historical Milestones: C-SPAN has covered numerous historical events, including the impeachment trials of President Bill Clinton and the 2000 presidential election recount.

Awards and Recognition

C-SPAN's dedication to public affairs broadcasting has earned it several prestigious awards.

25. Peabody Awards: C-SPAN has received three Peabody Awards (1993, 1999, 2011) for its exceptional public affairs programming.
26. Book TV Awards: Book TV on C-SPAN2 won the Harlem Book Fair Phyllis Wheatly Award for literacy and advocacy in 2010.

Audience and Impact

C-SPAN's reach and influence are evident in its viewership statistics and audience engagement.

27. Public Affairs Programming: Beyond congressional proceedings, C-SPAN covers a wide range of public policy events, including press briefings, campaign stops, and panel discussions.
28. Audience Engagement: A survey by Hart Research Associates found that 20 percent of cable TV households (an estimated 39 million Americans) watch C-SPAN regularly, with an audience that is politically active and geographically diverse.
29. Viewership Statistics: By 2013, C-SPAN recorded more than 45 million viewers weekly, with popular programming including presidential nominating conventions and Supreme Court nomination hearings.
30. Cable Availability: As of 2010, C-SPAN was available in more than 100 million households across the United States.

Interactive Features

C-SPAN offers various interactive features to enhance viewer engagement and learning.

31. Interactive Features: The C-SPAN Bus and its interactive tools have engaged millions of visitors in learning about public affairs and the network's unique programming.
32. Digital Advertising: While C-SPAN does not choose the advertisers it features, it restricts certain categories like politics- or policy-related advertising to maintain its neutrality.
33. Merchandise Sales: C-SPAN offers a variety of merchandise, including coffee mugs, apparel, and bumper stickers, available at the C-SPAN Shop.

Special Projects and Documentaries

C-SPAN has produced numerous special projects and documentaries, adding depth to its public affairs coverage.

34. Historical Coverage: C-SPAN has produced numerous documentaries and series on historical topics, including an eight-installment series of interviews from the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas.
35. Supreme Court Documentary: Following C-SPAN's documentary on the Supreme Court, PublicAffairs published The Supreme Court: Featuring the Justices in Their Own Words in 2010.

Technological Advancements

C-SPAN has embraced technological advancements to improve its broadcasting and accessibility.

36. HD Transmission: C-SPAN began HD transmission of all three channels in June 2010, enhancing the viewing experience for its audience.
37. Radio App: In December 2009, C-SPAN Radio launched an iPhone app, which later became available on Android phones, allowing listeners to access live audio and podcasts.

Notable Interviews and Events

C-SPAN has hosted numerous notable interviews and covered significant public affairs events.

38. Presidential Interviews: C-SPAN has interviewed several U.S. presidents, including President Barack Obama in both the White House library and Oval Office.
39. Author Interviews: Book TV has featured interviews with notable authors, including former President Jimmy Carter, who discussed his book White House Diary on the After Words program.
40. Public Affairs Events: Beyond congressional hearings, C-SPAN covers a variety of public affairs events, such as press briefings and panel discussions, to promote open and transparent dialogue between the public and elected officials.

Continuous Evolution

C-SPAN has continuously evolved, adapting to new technologies and expanding its reach through various digital platforms.

41. Archival Content: The C-SPAN Video Library offers free access to over 300,000 hours of searchable and shareable content, dating back to 1987.
42. Social Media Impact: C-SPAN became a trending topic on Twitter for the first time in November 2009 during the U.S. House of Representatives' debate on health care legislation.
43. Health Care Coverage: In 2009 and 2010, C-SPAN requested full access to health care reform negotiations, which was praised by Republican Leader John Boehner.
44. Midterm Election Coverage: In 2010, C-SPAN aired 140 Senate, House, and gubernatorial debates for the midterm election.

Governance and Leadership

C-SPAN's governance and leadership have played a crucial role in its success and credibility.

45. Executive Committee: Landel Hobbs, COO of Time Warner Cable, was elected chairman of the C-SPAN Executive Committee in June 2010.
46. C-SPAN Milestones: C-SPAN has established a board of directors comprised of 22 executives from the American cable television industry, ensuring strong industry support.

Awards and Recognition

C-SPAN's dedication to public affairs broadcasting has earned it several prestigious awards.

47. Peabody Awards: C-SPAN has received three Peabody Awards (1993, 1999, 2011) for its exceptional public affairs programming.
48. Book TV Awards: Book TV on C-SPAN2 won the Harlem Book Fair Phyllis Wheatly Award for literacy and advocacy in 2010.

Audience and Impact

C-SPAN's reach and influence are evident in its viewership statistics and audience engagement.

49. Public Affairs Programming: Beyond congressional proceedings, C-SPAN covers a wide range of public policy events, including press briefings, campaign stops, and panel discussions.
50. Audience Engagement: A survey by Hart Research Associates found that 20 percent of cable TV households (an estimated 39 million Americans) watch C-SPAN regularly, with an audience that is politically active and geographically diverse.

C-SPAN's Lasting Impact

C-SPAN has been a game-changer in American public affairs broadcasting since 1979. From its humble beginnings covering the U.S. House of Representatives, it has grown into a multi-platform network offering unfiltered access to political events. With channels like C-SPAN2 and C-SPAN3, plus the C-SPAN Now app, viewers can stay informed about government proceedings anytime, anywhere. Its commitment to neutrality and transparency has earned it a loyal audience, making it a trusted source for millions. The C-SPAN Video Library, with over 300,000 hours of content, is a treasure trove for anyone interested in public policy. Whether through live broadcasts, podcasts, or educational initiatives like C-SPAN Classroom, the network continues to foster open dialogue between the public and their elected officials. C-SPAN remains a vital resource for understanding American politics and history.