By Nathan Bussey
C-SPAN is the home of politics on cable TV, broadcasting the public proceedings of the U.S. government. It’s an important public service if you want to stay informed, and you may not want to lose access if you decide to cancel cable. C-SPAN is a nonprofit organization funded by its cable and satellite affiliates, so it has a strong incentive to stay exclusively on cable TV. That means there are very few options to watch through streaming services compared to other networks. It may not be easy to track down a C-SPAN stream, but you have a couple of options. Let’s look at the two ways you can watch C-SPAN without a cable subscription.
| Price | Channels | Free Trial | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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#1
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$69.99 - $159.99 | 140+ | 5 days | Watch Now |
How to Watch C-SPAN Online Without Cable
You may frequent C-SPAN for live government proceedings or love its informative docuseries — such as “The Capitol,” “Landmark Cases,” and “American Presidents” — on politics, history, and the nation. If you’re a politics junkie, it can be hard to even think about giving up C-SPAN content.
If you watch C-SPAN for its live coverage of government proceedings, you’ll be able to watch the same content on the official C-SPAN app, C-SPAN NOW. It offers select C-SPAN content for free, including livestreams of floor proceedings from the U.S. Congress and congressional hearings, as well as simulcasts of C-SPAN, C-SPAN 2, and C-SPAN3. The app also features recorded clips and current events. You can find the C-SPAN app in the Apple Store or Google Play store. Many recorded clips are also available for free on c-span.org, but you have to sign in with a TV provider if you want to watch livestreams on the website.
The only streaming service that offers access to C-SPAN content is DIRECTV via Internet, DIRECTV’s skinny bundle streaming service. It cuts out filler channels and offers customizable packages that include C-SPAN Channel 350 SD Live. DIRECTV via Internet is pricey compared to other skinny bundles, but it’s still cheaper than most cable TV packages.
Here are the streaming services that allow you to watch C-SPAN without cable:
Can I Watch C-SPAN on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast?
If you choose to watch C-SPAN through DIRECTV via Internet, you’ll get the advantage of compatibility with your favorite streaming devices that let you watch on any screen you want. DIRECTV via Internet is compatible with Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TVs, iOS devices, Android devices, and your web browser. If you’re streaming select C-SPAN content on C-SPAN Now, you’ll be able to watch on Android devices, iOS devices, and web browsers, but not on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, or Apple TV.
More to Love for C-SPAN Fans
C-SPAN is a private nonprofit that provides a valuable public service. PBS is the publicly funded equivalent, helping to keep Americans informed through in-depth news coverage, livestreams of concerts and other cultural events, and award-winning children’s programs. Learn how to watch PBS without cable.
C-SPAN lets you watch important events without commentary, but true politics geeks will want more context for the public proceedings on C-SPAN. Nightly news programs are great for a quick, 30-minute recap of the day’s events. NBC and CBS air nightly news programs on weekdays, so check out our guide to watching NBC Nightly News and our watch guide for ABC World News Tonight.
For commentary on current events, check out cable news networks CNN, Fox News, or MSNBC. They are known for having political bias, but they also go in depth on the news of the day with discussions and debates with experts. You can read our guides on how to watch MSNBC without cable, how to stream CNN, and how to get access to Fox News.
I thought C-Span was the networks “pennance” for getting to monopolize the airwaves…how come they are not required to offer it in every bundle?
I don’t know if anyone’s required to carry it, but what they always say is “C-SPAN is a public service created by the American Cable Television Industry”. The streaming services aren’t “cable”, and they aren’t local monopolies — they operate in a competitive environment. That’s mostly a good thing, but it also means they’re not subject to the regulations that create public access channels, etc.
I believe Mary meant “how come [cable systems] are not required to offer it in every bundle?”, not streaming services.
Great point
Minor correction, C-Span is NOT available on Amazon Fire TV or Roku. I have both and upon searching I could not find any apps for C-Span, I contacted Amazon and Roku and they both confirmed that there is currently no C-Span app for their service
Maybe the above article is not as clear as it could be, but it’s saying you can use the YouTube app on any platform, including Fire TV (I assume it’s available) and Roku (definitely), and then you can watch the events that C-Span live streams.
No, C-Span is NOT available on Youtube TV, at least not at this time .
I believe it said “youtube tv” which is a paid for service and is not the same as the youtube app on roku for example.
Actuslly, if you already have the AT&T TV app on your Roku, it contunues to work fine. You just can’t install it since 1/1/20.
Fram att.com: “Starting January 1, 2020, you won’t be able to add the AT&T TV channel to your Roku device. Already have AT&T TV on your Roku device? You can keep using it as long as you don’t delete the app. We’re actively working on a new agreement with Roku and hope to resolve this soon.”
Please hurry, too much going on to not be able to watch CSpan.
thank you!
I also have Amazon Fire and wanted C-SPAN. The YouTube app is FREE to download on Amazon Fire. Then you can access C-SPAN through YouTube. I downloaded it today and it works beautifully.
Thank you
Download the free YouTube app on your Amazon Fire. You can then access C-SPAN through YouTube. I have Amazon Fire and downloaded it earlier today. It works beautifully.
Thank you for this Post. I’ve had a Hisense Roku TV for the past almost 4yrs. lol I’ve basically used it as a Great Big monitor for my laptop. This past year the HDMI port on the laptop gave out and I’ve been using it more as a TV, having to watch my YouTube features like Cspan ,videos and news clips on my 15″ laptop screen. It was as simple as doing Roku search for YouTube, adding the YouTube (not YouTube TV) channel, Signing into my Google acct and you’re done. I know feel like a kid in a candystore. Thank You so much.
I have C-SPAN saved on my laptop and stream all3 C-SPAN channels to my tvvia an hdmi conbection
That’s great info. Could you please explain how to do that. I have a MacBook, an hdmi cable and a smart tv. Now….how do I get to streaming C-Span? Thanks!
Ditto! How? Please share. Thank you.
What browser do you use?
when I go to C-SPAN. Org on my smartphone it says I need to enter my television provider information in order to stream. I don’t have a television provider LOL.
right now I use DirecTV but their prices have been going up steadily over the past two years. I have the basic patch package and HBO and it’s 60 bucks a month. Omph.
There’s no LOL – if people don’t pay for cable, then C-SPAN will eventually disappear – no revenue, no C-SPAN
If that what it takes to sink Fox News, so be it
If that what it takes to sink Fox News, so be it
That is the only way I have found to get it as well. I just need to buy the hdmi cable so I can link the laptop to my TV.
Thanks for wasting my time with this disingenuine article
Disingenuous
I use my internet connection on my smart TV. Go to c-span.org and you can click on schedule to see what is going on. You can watch live streams from there.
Its been on the internet @ https://www.c-span.org for years now
or just Google it. How you get it from your computer to your TV screen is up to you…
Thanks for the info. cspan.org works
That is only one C-span channel. There are three. The two others are the more interesting ones.
I can cast from my pc to Roku Streaming Stick+. I haven’t tried CSPAN specifically but it is available and I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Of course, it’s an extra step and truly an annoyance to go through. But it’s the only way I can watch our State’s legislative action live.
I can cast from my pc to Roku Streaming Stick+. I haven’t tried CSPAN specifically but it is available and I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Of course, it’s an extra step and truly an annoyance to go through. But it’s the only way I can watch our State’s legislative action live.
C-SPAN radio app can be obtained on Google app store.
OK. Here is what I just did. I have a Macbook and tried to get C-Span without a service. When I tried to livestream, I was told I could not but that I could get an app on my phone (android or iphone) or ipad. I have an ipad and went to the app store and downloaded “C-Span radio.” I can listen to (but not watch) C-SPAN radio and C-SPAN 1, 2, and 3.
I can cast CSPAN from Google Chrome to my Xiaomi Mibox which runs Android TV. Should be same for Chromecast.
I remember when, back in the “olden days” of internet, on a much older computer, of being able to just go to the site and tune in.
Now it seems like a big pain-in-the-butt scam to lessen the number of viewers for whom our government’s activities are available.
I cancelled YouTubeTV and re-subscribed to DishNetwork which carries C-Span. We are quickly approaching a lack of free-speech and information in the USA. Sad.
That’s because we do not have elected public servants interested in truly serving the people. What they are interested in is using censorship and the media as a means to power. The new Democrats have become obsessed with grabbing power instead of freedom and serving constituents.
You are in luck, Emperor Trump is starting his own social network. All truth, all the time, just like Bill O’ Reilly, “fair and balanced.” The only question is whether he’ll be able to broadcast from federal prison.
LOL ! So true…
Hopefully, we’ll find out soon!
Try using a VPN with overseas connections. This has worked for me after trying several countries. Whether it is worth it is a different matter. If a neighbor has just painted his house you might enjoy using binoculars to watch it dry.
We are impressed now with the importance of improving civics education. How about if we write to every streaming service and television provider and elected official to lobby for wide availability of cspan so government is transparent? I cannot believe it is so hard to watch cspan in this age!
I am also worried that C-Span is going away. I think Congress needs to legislate alternate funding. Viewers should be able to subscribe directly to C-Span and large media conglomerates like the Sinclair Group should be taxed to supplement subscriber funds to keep C-Span going. Does anyone know about a group working on this issue??? Democracy needs information such as C-Span provides. It’s crucial !
Stephen: The LAST thing I watch CSpan for is to watch politicians. Ugh! CSPAN has so many other great channels ,2,3 like Book TV and HistoryTV, lectures from professors including the Civil War. I watch it and tape it all weekend.
Point taken, Steve! Next time we update this piece, we’ll be sure to mention some of the other programming CSPAN has 🙂
C-Span and its enormous libraries should be available on any big screen TV, not just my laptop. PBS, for example requires a donation for full viewing of their libraries. But, C-Span is already paid for by the networks. Or is it only the cable part???
Otherwise a C-Span app would be fine.
Well, that was a waste of time
I want to watch unfiltered coverage of my representation without contributing any royalties to content providers like fox that oppose representative government.
Really, Alden? How ’bout that Russian hoax Hunter Biden laptop, huh? Or the “Trump/Russian Collusion” blatant lie? More Fox, OAN, C-Span, less CNN+, MSNBC, MSM.
No, C-Span is not available on YouTube TV.
Was watching, actually recording on( Sprectrum DVR) service. All the campaign debates, to remain an informed late 70’s yr old boomer. Last 2 wks, EVERY
debate, whether live or taped can’t be watched due to multiple horizontal lines on screen, whether live or recorded. After reading all these posts, I sadly think that the guy who posted they don’t want the public to be informed is right on.
That is the beginning of facism.We will eventually have the Murduck’s , Brietbart and Truth Social as our only sources of information. (Forgive mispellings, from stroke.) But I still care and am a patriot. Campaign write in to congress necessary. Maybe I’ll get Rachel Maddow on it.