C-span, The Cable Tv Channel :: essays research papers

C-SPAN, the Cable TV assembly line     C-SPAN, the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network is a medium that sincerely brings the government to the people. By presenting live and uncut footageof our government in action, the citizens of the United States can get a bitcloser to what the founding fathers had in disposition when they created our government.C-SPAN is truly a unique channel amongst the mass of todays viewing options.C-SPAN was launched March 19, 1979, "to provide live, gavel to gavel coverage ofthe United States House of Representatives."1, but the enterprise has beenexpanded beyond the original one channel and now utilizes several mediums toreach its goal. The originator of this idea of bringing government intopeoples homes was Brian Lamb, who in addition to being the chairman and chief operating officer ofC-SPAN, is also a host on many of C-SPANs programs. Brians primary belief isthat people should be able to see government in action without soundbites, computing device maps, models, images, music, and news anchor commentary. Brian feelsthat if people can see government in action without the normal clutter, thenthey can more easily make decisions for themselves some politics and theworkings of their government. In addition to C-SPAN, a second channel, C-SPAN2has also been created. C-SPAN2 is committed to providing live and uncutcoverage of the U.S. Senate when it is in session. C-SPAN2 continues thetradition of the original channel by giving an even wider unfiltered andunplugged view of our government in action. In addition to video, C-SPAN alsohas 2 different audio networks that broadcast international and Americanpolitical content, unfiltered and uncut. Also, C-SPAN has moved into thecomputer world and has established a homepage to provide information to peopleabout its services, as well as receive feedback from viewing audience via email. One ofthe most unique aspects of C-SPAN is that all of its services are offe redtotally commercial free. C-SPAN is paid for by cable and satellite operatorswho each pay a per-subscriber fee to C-SPAN when the channels are carried ontheir cable systems. C-SPAN does sell merchandise bearing its logo, such ascoffee mugs, T-shirts, and hats, however these are certainly intend asadvertising for the network itself rather than a direct source of income.     As of July 1995, C-SPAN is original by over 64.3 million or 71 portionof U.S. households, and C-SPAN2 is received by over 41.1 million or 46 percentof U.S. households. C-SPAN is distributed primarily through cable TV systems,however it can also received by both analog and digital satellite receivers.