What's Happening?
C-SPAN has announced a new agreement to broadcast its three public affairs networks on YouTube TV and Hulu's live television service. This deal resolves a previous dispute that had resulted in reduced revenue for C-SPAN due to the growing trend of cord-cutting. The streaming services will pay the same fee as traditional cable and satellite providers, approximately 87 cents per subscriber annually. This move comes after Congress passed a resolution urging Alphabet, YouTube's parent company, and Disney, Hulu's parent company, to include C-SPAN in their programming. The network's programming, which heavily features congressional sessions and hearings, faced diminished airtime without this agreement.
Why It's Important?
The inclusion of C-SPAN on major streaming platforms like YouTube TV and Hulu is significant as it expands access to unfiltered political coverage for millions of Americans. This development is crucial in the context of declining traditional TV subscriptions, which have dropped from 100 million homes to 70 million. With approximately 20 million consumers now using streaming services, C-SPAN's presence on these platforms ensures continued visibility and relevance in the digital age. The deal also stabilizes C-SPAN's financial situation, which saw a revenue drop from $64 million in 2019 to $45.4 million in 2023.
What's Next?
The agreement is set to take effect this fall, potentially increasing C-SPAN's viewership and influence. As streaming services continue to grow, other networks may seek similar deals to maintain their audience reach. Political leaders and stakeholders will likely monitor the impact of this expanded access on public engagement with political processes.
