C-SPAN

C-SPAN ( /ˈsiːspæn/), an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers television broadcasting of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming by its three television channels (C-SPAN, C-SPAN2 and C-SPAN3), one radio station and a group of websites that provide "streaming media" and archives of C-SPAN programs. C-SPAN's television channels are available to more than 100 million cable and satellite households within the United States, while WCSP-FM, also called C-SPAN Radio, is broadcast on FM radio in Washington, D.C., and is available throughout the U.S. on XM Satellite Radio, via Internet streaming, by telephoning 202-626-8888, and through an iPhone app.

The network televises U.S. political events, particularly live and "gavel-to-gavel" coverage of the U.S. Congress as well as occasional proceedings of the Canadian and British Parliaments and major events worldwide. Its coverage of political and policy events is unedited, thereby providing viewers (or listeners) with unfiltered information about politics and government. Non-political coverage includes: historical programming, programs dedicated to non-fiction books and interview programs with noteworthy individuals associated with public policy. C-SPAN is a nonprofit organization, funded by a relatively small 6-cent per subscriber affiliate fee paid by its cable and satellite affiliates, and does not have advertisements on any of its networks, radio stations or websites, nor does it ever solicit donations or pledges. The network operates independently, and neither the cable industry nor Congress has control of the content of its programming.