C-SPAN (Television network)

C-SPAN (Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network) was launched in 1979 under the direction of Brian P. Lamb to deliver live coverage of the U.S. House of Representatives sessions. The network is a private, non-profit service supported by cable license fees. The network covered its first presidential election in 1980 and in 1982 expanded its coverage to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 1986, C-SPAN 2 covered the U.S. Senate, current events and offered a 48-hour non-fiction book program. Audio Networks were launched in 1989 offering foreign newscasts in English. In 1991 closed-captioned coverage of the House of Representatives began. In 1997 C-Span EXTRA and C-SPAN Radio 90 began while live video web coverage of Congress also was started.

From the description of C-SPAN records, 1979-1997. (Cable Center, The). WorldCat record id: 48581299