C-SPAN remains one of the most valuable public resources in American media, offering unfiltered, gavel-to-gavel coverage of Congress without commentary, spin, or analysis. In an era when every news outlet seems determined to tell you what to think, C-SPAN simply shows you what’s happening and lets you form your own conclusions.
This guide covers every way to watch C-SPAN live in 2025, from free options on the C-SPAN website and app to streaming services that bundle all three C-SPAN channels with dozens of others.
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What Is C-SPAN?
C-SPAN (Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network) is a nonprofit network created in 1979 by the cable television industry to provide unfiltered access to the workings of the U.S. government. Unlike every other news network, C-SPAN doesn’t editorialize, analyze, or insert commentary into its coverage. Cameras simply roll on Congress, the White House, and public affairs events, letting viewers watch democracy unfold in real time.
The network operates three television channels: C-SPAN (focused on the House of Representatives), C-SPAN2 (focused on the Senate), and C-SPAN3 (congressional hearings and additional public affairs). When Congress is not in session, the channels fill with author interviews, historical programming, and coverage of policy events.
C-SPAN is funded entirely by affiliate fees from cable and satellite providers. It receives no government funding and operates independently, meaning neither Congress nor the cable industry controls its content. This unique funding model has allowed C-SPAN to maintain editorial independence for over 45 years.
In September 2025, C-SPAN announced agreements with YouTube TV and Hulu to carry its channels, marking a significant expansion into streaming after years of declining cable subscriber revenue. The network’s subscription households dropped from approximately 100 million in 2015 to 70 million in 2025, pushing it to diversify distribution.
C-SPAN Programming Highlights
Each C-SPAN channel serves a distinct purpose in covering American public life.
C-SPAN (Main Channel)
The flagship channel primarily covers the U.S. House of Representatives when in session. Washington Journal opens each morning with viewer call-ins discussing the day’s news with journalists, policy experts, and elected officials. The program is notable for its open phone lines, where viewers from across the political spectrum share unfiltered opinions directly on air.
Q&A features hour-long interviews with newsmakers and authors. Throughout the day, C-SPAN covers press briefings, speeches, and public policy events from Washington and around the country.
C-SPAN2
C-SPAN2 provides gavel-to-gavel Senate coverage when that chamber is in session. On Sundays, the channel transforms into Book TV, offering 24 hours of nonfiction author interviews, book signings, and literary events. Book TV launched in 1998 and features approximately 2,000 authors annually covering history, biography, and public affairs.
The After Words program pairs authors with expert interviewers familiar with their subject matter, creating deeper conversations than typical book promotion appearances.
C-SPAN3
C-SPAN3 launched in 2001 for additional public affairs coverage, particularly live congressional hearings. On Saturdays, the channel becomes American History TV, offering 48 hours of programming for history enthusiasts including lectures from top university professors, coverage of historical sites, and documentary content.
Lectures in History features actual college history courses, while American Artifacts takes viewers inside museums, archives, and historic locations across the country.
How To Watch C-SPAN Free
C-SPAN provides substantial free access to government proceedings without requiring any subscription.
C-SPAN.org (Free Government Coverage)
Visit C-SPAN.org for free live access to all federal government proceedings, including House and Senate floor action and congressional hearings. This coverage requires no login or TV provider authentication. The site also provides free access to the C-SPAN Video Library containing over 300,000 hours of archived content searchable by date, topic, or speaker.
The highest-quality feeds of the three television channels require authentication with a cable or satellite provider, but the core government coverage streams freely to everyone.
C-SPAN Now App (Free)
Download the C-SPAN Now app from the App Store or Google Play for free mobile access to House and Senate proceedings, congressional hearings, and major political events. The app provides live streams without requiring a TV provider login for government proceedings.
To watch the full C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, and C-SPAN3 television feeds, you’ll need to authenticate with your cable or satellite provider credentials within the app.
C-SPAN Radio
C-SPAN Radio broadcasts on WCSP-FM 90.1 in the Washington, D.C. area and streams online through the C-SPAN website and TuneIn. Audio coverage of all three networks is available via HD Radio subchannels for those in range of the broadcast signal.
C-SPAN on Live TV Streaming Services
For the complete C-SPAN television experience including all three channels, these streaming services offer access.
DirecTV Stream ($84.99/month)
DirecTV Stream includes C-SPAN in its Entertainment tier and remains the most reliable option for streaming all three C-SPAN channels. The service offers a 5-day free trial, unlimited cloud DVR, and broad device compatibility. DirecTV Stream also carries the widest selection of news channels if you want multiple perspectives on current events.
YouTube TV ($82.99/month)
Following the September 2025 carriage agreement, YouTube TV now includes C-SPAN in its base package. The service offers unlimited DVR storage, three simultaneous streams, and a clean interface. This represents a significant expansion for C-SPAN into the streaming space after years of limited availability.
Hulu + Live TV ($89.99/month)
Hulu + Live TV added C-SPAN as part of the same 2025 carriage deal with YouTube TV. The service bundles live TV with the full Hulu on-demand library plus Disney+ and ESPN+. Unlimited DVR storage keeps recordings for nine months.
Services Without C-SPAN
Note that Sling TV and Fubo do not carry C-SPAN. If unfiltered government coverage is important to you, these services won’t meet that need, though you can still access free government proceedings through C-SPAN.org.
Streaming Service Comparison for C-SPAN
| Service | Monthly Price | C-SPAN Included | All 3 Channels | DVR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-SPAN.org (Gov’t Only) | Free | Yes (limited) | No | No |
| C-SPAN Now App | Free | Yes (limited) | With TV login | No |
| YouTube TV | $82.99 | Yes | Yes | Unlimited |
| DirecTV Stream | $84.99 | Yes | Yes | Unlimited |
| Hulu + Live TV | $89.99 | Yes | Yes | Unlimited |
| Sling TV | $45.99 | No | No | 50 hours |
| Fubo | $79.99 | No | No | 1000 hours |
C-SPAN Video Library
One of C-SPAN’s most valuable resources is its online Video Library at c-span.org/video. The archive contains nearly 300,000 hours of searchable content dating back to 1987, all available free to the public.
You can search by date, topic, person, or keyword to find specific moments in congressional history. The library includes full proceedings, committee hearings, presidential speeches, and public affairs events. Clips can be easily created and shared, making it an invaluable research tool for journalists, students, historians, and anyone following government.
The Video Library earned C-SPAN a Peabody Award in 2011 for its contribution to history, scholarship, and public life.
Device Compatibility
Watch C-SPAN across multiple platforms:
- Web browsers: Full access at C-SPAN.org on any computer
- Mobile: C-SPAN Now app on iOS and Android
- Smart TVs: Through streaming service apps (YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, Hulu)
- Streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV (via streaming services)
- Connected TV app: C-SPAN Select available on Comcast/Xfinity and Charter/Spectrum
Note that the standalone C-SPAN Now app is primarily designed for mobile devices and web browsers rather than streaming boxes like Roku or Fire TV.
C-SPAN Live Stream FAQ
Is C-SPAN free to watch?
Yes, partially. All federal government proceedings (House floor, Senate floor, congressional hearings) stream free on C-SPAN.org and the C-SPAN Now app. The full television channel feeds require either cable/satellite authentication or a streaming service subscription.
Does YouTube TV have C-SPAN?
Yes, as of September 2025, YouTube TV includes C-SPAN in its base package following a new carriage agreement.
Why doesn’t Sling TV carry C-SPAN?
Sling TV has not reached a carriage agreement with C-SPAN. The network’s unique nonprofit structure and funding model may complicate negotiations with some streaming providers.
What’s the difference between C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, and C-SPAN3?
C-SPAN covers the House of Representatives and general public affairs. C-SPAN2 covers the Senate and becomes Book TV on Sundays. C-SPAN3 covers additional hearings and becomes American History TV on Saturdays.
Who funds C-SPAN?
C-SPAN is funded entirely by affiliate fees from cable and satellite providers. It receives no government funding, advertising revenue, or taxpayer support, which helps maintain its editorial independence.
Can I watch congressional hearings live for free?
Yes. C-SPAN.org streams all congressional hearings live without requiring any subscription or login. The C-SPAN Now app also provides free access to hearing coverage.
Related Live Streams
Looking for more news and public affairs coverage? Check out these related live streams:
- PBS Live Stream – Public broadcasting news and programming
- CNN Live Stream – 24/7 cable news coverage
- MSNBC Live Stream – Progressive cable news
- Fox News Live Stream – Conservative cable news