C-SPAN Marks 30 Years of Riveting Television
Roll Call Staff
C-SPAN will celebrate 30 years of television in the House chamber Thursday.
The cable networks launched C-SPAN on March 19, 1979, as a public service to provide Americans with an up-close look at what their elected officials are doing in Washington, D.C. (Fun fact: Tennessee Democratic Rep. Al Gore was first to speak live on the House floor.) C-SPAN 2 went live on June 2, 1986.
The landmark gives Congressional insiders across the country a chance to think about how Congress has changed since 1979.
The network’s influence has grown over time, according to a Hart Research survey released in connection with the 30th anniversary.
For example, Hart found that “20 percent of cable TV households, an estimated 39 million Americans, watch C-SPAN regularly — at least once or twice a week,” according to a press release.
The survey shows that C-SPAN viewers use the information to get involved. Ninety percent vote, and high percentages work or volunteer on political campaigns.
Some of them use the information to get involved specifically with the network: 7,439 callers have had their say on the morning show “Washington Journal,” asking pointed questions and taking commentators to task. A segment of “Washington Journal” will be dedicated to the anniversary on Thursday.
Schumer Advocates for Many on Panel
Nov. 16, 12 a.m.
As Senate Majority Leader, Lyndon Johnson once said of the Joint Economic Committee, “It’s as useless as tits on a bull.” But as that panel’s chairman during the 110th Congress, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) seized the opportunity to elevate the traditionally low-profile post to the forefront of shaping policy. Read Full Article
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