40 years ago today, the cable networks agreed on the establishment of a non partisan channel to cover US Government in the service of the knowledge and enlightenment of the American people.
Over time, three channels developed, one for the House of Representatives, one for the US Senate, and one for History (American History TV).
Not only does C Span cover all proceedings in the House and Senate, but also many other public events, including congressional hearings, lectures and ceremonies, interviews of published scholars, and presentations on all aspects of American history.
But also, coverage of the British, Canadian, and Australian governments in English are telecast, and many foreign policy issues have become part of the mission of C Span, and what cannot be aired on cable is available on videos available through the C Span website.
Many different special series have been aired over time, all educating, informing, and promoting study of American history, government, and politics.
It is hard to imagine how much worse off we would be if there was no C Span, so happy 40th anniversary and many more years of wonderful programming and information.
Ronald,
This is remarkable.
During my childhood, my household started subscribing to cable television in 1980.
It is difficult for me to remember what basic-cable programmers were around; although I seem to recall one was A&E and another one was Nickelodeon. The following year, 1981, was the launch of MTV.
When you write “American History Channel,†I think you may have been thinking of History (formerly The History Channel; http://wikipedia.org/wiki/History_(U.S._TV_network) ). That is a sister channel of the programming of A&E.
C–SPAN is for the U.S. House. According to Wikipedia.org, it launched March 19, 1979.
C–SPAN2 is for the U.S. Senate. It launched June 2, 1986.
C–SPAN3, according to Wikipedia.org, “shows other public policy and government-related live events on weekdays along with weekend historical programming.†It launched January 22, 2001.
(Source: http://wikipedia.org/wiki/C-SPAN.)
D, the weekend on C Span 3 is known as American History TV, not American History Channel, so thanks for the correction.
History Channel, now called History, has nowhere near the quality of programming that American History TV has on the weekends on C Span.
It used to be much better, years ago, when it was the History Channel, at least in my view.
Correcting myself with the following: “When you write “American History Channel,†I think you may have been thinking of History (formerly The History Channel). That is a sister channel of the programming of A&E.â€
From “Wikipediaâ€: “Each weekend since January 8, 2011, the network [C–SPAN3] has broadcast 48 hours of programming dedicated to the history of the United States, under the umbrella title ‘American History TV’.â€
I just caught that.
I am subscribed to DirecTV, which is now owned by AT&T, and C–SPAN3 is not carried. So, I have never been exposed to that particular programmer.
That is a real shame, D.
However, on my blog on the right, you could watch C Span’s two programs dealing with my 2015 Assassinations Book, one with Brian Lamb and one a lecture at the Sandler Center in Boca Raton, Florida.
The first is listed under Q & A in the Interviews Section, and the second is listed under the heading Lectures –Book TV on C Span.