As Streaming Takes A Toll, C-SPAN Needs Help

C-SPAN, the nonprofit known for decades of live, unfiltered congressional coverage, is grappling with the same pressures hitting the broader TV industry. As viewers ditch cable and satellite subscriptions for streaming platforms, C-SPAN’s primary funding—fees from pay TV operators—has taken a hit. The network, which enjoys rare bipartisan support and even a fan in President Trump, faces an uncertain future.

“It’s not a sustainable situation,” said C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist told The LA Times.

C-SPAN, or Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, relies on cable and satellite providers, whose customer base is shrinking as streaming now accounts for half of TV viewing, per Nielsen data. 

From 100 million pay TV households in 2015, C-SPAN’s reach has dropped to 51 million. Revenue fell 37% from $73 million in 2015 to $46.3 million in 2024, leaving the network in a deficit.

Unlike flashy cable news, C-SPAN operates modestly, without high-paid anchors or sleek studios. Its funding supports over 30 camera crews covering Congress, think tanks, town halls, and other political events nationwide. C-SPAN’s independent cameras in the Capitol capture moments even when official feeds are cut off.

Feist sees a lifeline in virtual pay TV services like YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV, which serve 20 million households. But these platforms face pressure to keep costs low, and adding C-SPAN’s feeds could raise subscription prices—a tough sell. Talks with Hulu and YouTube are ongoing, with YouTube noting that much of C-SPAN’s content is already free on its main platform, generating ad revenue for the network.

Launched in 1979, C-SPAN helped cable providers gain favor with local governments by showcasing democracy in action. It became a trusted brand, funded entirely by pay TV operators. But newer streaming services, catering to cord-cutters, don’t share that legacy.