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How to Watch C-SPAN Without Cable in 2022

By Stephen Lovely | Last modified: June 20, 2022

 

If you’re a political junkie, then you probably can’t give up C-SPAN — not even if you want to save money by cutting cable or satellite. Here’s the good news: You don’t have to! Live TV streaming services let you watch familiar channels on a streaming device of your choice, whether it’s a Roku, laptop computer, mobile device, or any other streaming-capable tech. Among these services, you’ll be able to choose an option that includes C-SPAN.

Here is our favorite way to stream C-SPAN:

  Price Channels Free Trial  
$54.99 – $134.99 140+ 5 days

Watch Now

How to Watch C-SPAN Online Without Cable

C-SPAN is a tough channel to track down. You don’t have a ton of options for streaming C-SPAN without cable, but they do exist. You can technically stream C-SPAN on the network’s website, but that option requires you to log in with your cable or satellite credentials. That gets a big “boo” from us, even though booing is probably frowned upon in the kind of congressional hearings you can view on C-SPAN. You can catch C-SPAN on these streaming services: DIRECTV STREAM and YouTube TV. Find out more below, so you can get your daily dose of politics!

C-SPAN with DIRECTV STREAM

Watch Now

One of the big players in the market is DIRECTV STREAM, which should sound familiar if you’ve ever gotten traditional cable service from the company. It has tapped into the skinny bundle market, allowing you to pay for only the channels you watch — including C-SPAN. Check out our DIRECTV Stream review to learn more.

YouTube TV

Google is everywhere. By launching YouTube TV, it won’t let anyone escape its clutches. That can be a good thing, though, especially if you already use regular YouTube and would like to check out its live TV service. C-SPAN is among the channels included, so you can start the free trial to see if it’s worth your time. Check out our YouTube TV review if you want to learn more.

Can I Watch C-SPAN on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast?

We won’t sugarcoat it: You don’t have a lot of options for watching C-SPAN online. If you’ll allow us to put on our best State of the Union voice for a minute, though, the state of the platform support is strong (pauses for applause). It’s true: You can watch C-SPAN on a wide range of devices, as you’ll see in the chart below.

Roku Fire TV Apple TV Android TV Chromecast iOS Android Web browser
DIRECTV STREAM Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
YouTube TV Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Most Popular Shows on C-SPAN

C-SPAN’s series are unique in that their titles are simple and straightforward. Here are some shows to check out while you’re on the network:

  • “American History TV”
  • “Book TV”
  • “In-Depth”
  • “Q&A”
  • “Washington Journal”

More to Stream for Fans of C-SPAN

C-SPAN lets you watch important events without commentary, but sometimes it’s nice to have a little more context for what you’re watching on C-SPAN. So you may want to check out similar networks.

CNN is a popular news channel that features “Anderson Cooper 360” for the latest reports, interviews, and inside scoop from host Anderson Cooper, as well as “Declassified,” which goes in depth about American spies. If that sounds like your cup of tea, then learn how to watch CNN without cable.

Another network is Fox News, which has a slew of commentary from news anchors and interviews with politicians, experts, and more. Take your pick of the many hosts on the network and tune in to what’s happening in the political world by watching Fox News without cable.

41 thoughts on “How to Watch C-SPAN Without Cable in 2022”

  1. MARY says:

    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?

    Reply
    1. William says:

      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.

      Reply
      1. Ray says:

        I believe Mary meant “how come [cable systems] are not required to offer it in every bundle?”, not streaming services.

        Reply
    2. joe friday says:

      Great point

      Reply
  2. See-Saw Sam says:

    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

    Reply
    1. Craig says:

      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.

      Reply
    2. FRANK WILSON says:

      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.”

      Reply
      1. Jeanne says:

        Please hurry, too much going on to not be able to watch CSpan.

        Reply
    3. Anonymous says:

      thank you!

      Reply
    4. Susan P says:

      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.

      Reply
    5. Susan P says:

      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.

      Reply
  3. Shama Carolyn says:

    I have C-SPAN saved on my laptop and stream all3 C-SPAN channels to my tvvia an hdmi conbection

    Reply
    1. John Gonzales says:

      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!

      Reply
      1. Glen Gilbert says:

        Ditto! How? Please share. Thank you.

        Reply
    2. Phyllis says:

      What browser do you use?

      Reply
    3. Jessica Haines says:

      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.

      Reply
      1. RRiggs says:

        There’s no LOL – if people don’t pay for cable, then C-SPAN will eventually disappear – no revenue, no C-SPAN

        Reply
    4. CINDY MONTGOMERY says:

      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.

      Reply
  4. Art says:

    Thanks for wasting my time with this disingenuine article

    Reply
    1. Pair says:

      Disingenuous

      Reply
  5. Judy says:

    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.

    Reply
  6. Kram says:

    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…

    Reply
    1. ktwelch says:

      Thanks for the info. cspan.org works

      Reply
    2. Steve Brophy NYC says:

      That is only one C-span channel. There are three. The two others are the more interesting ones.

      Reply
  7. John Mader says:

    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.

    Reply
  8. John says:

    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.

    Reply
  9. Lorenzo says:

    C-SPAN radio app can be obtained on Google app store.

    Reply
  10. Cheryl says:

    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.

    Reply
  11. FrostyWinnipeg says:

    I can cast CSPAN from Google Chrome to my Xiaomi Mibox which runs Android TV. Should be same for Chromecast.

    Reply
  12. c laughton says:

    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.

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says:

    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.

    Reply
    1. JJJ jr says:

      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.

      Reply
      1. Ron Ray says:

        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.

        Reply
  14. James L Jones says:

    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.

    Reply
  15. clmcd says:

    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!

    Reply
  16. Linda Jones says:

    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 !

    Reply
  17. Steve Brophy NYC says:

    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.

    Reply
    1. Stephen Lovely says:

      Point taken, Steve! Next time we update this piece, we’ll be sure to mention some of the other programming CSPAN has 🙂

      Reply
  18. Anonymous says:

    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.

    Reply
  19. Kevin says:

    Well, that was a waste of time

    Reply
  20. Alden says:

    I want to watch unfiltered coverage of my representation without contributing any royalties to content providers like fox that oppose representative government.

    Reply

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