C-span demands viewers identify "provider" before watching. When did this start?

[librechik]

I was happy to get "off the grid" by dropping cable a few months back. At that time I was still able to view all the c-span channels just as an internet user.

However, last weekend had to put on the brakes as you suddenly need to "sign in" through a cable channel etc to view the content.

WTF?

[dorkzilla]

1. That is screwy - normally you only need this for HBO-Go or something else

It especially sucks that C-Span is doing it. Why are they in bed with the cable companies?

[PoliticAverse]

4. They were created by and are funded by "the cable companies". n/t

[Travis_0004]

6. Who do you think pays for C-span?

Cable companies. If you sign up for cable, C-span is provided in just about every lineup, and that means a few cents off your bill is going to C-span

[dorkzilla]

7. Yes I got that now

I’ve already been schooled in C-Spanism.

[Travis_0004]

8. Also, some links for free live streaming.

http://houselive.gov/
http://www.senate.gov/floor/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/live

[greatlaurel]

2. That is not good.

Shows how much in trouble cable is in.

[PoliticAverse]

3. See...

http://thehill.com/policy/technology/213714-c-span-limiting-access-to-its-online-channels

[dorkzilla]

5. Interesting, thanks

I have no idea why I had it in my head that it was provided as a public service by the government. I must be insane.

[questionseverything]

12. originally c span was supposed to be a public service provided by cable in exchange

for their use of our public airwaves

and it worked that way for quite awhile but obviously now c span is just more 1% bullch*t

[tech3149]

13. It is supposed to be a public service in return for a geographic monopoly

Just as the broadcast licensee was expected to provide information in the public interest in exchange for profiting from the public airways. What have we seen in the last few decades? Broadcasters consolidate and profit from a common resource without upholding their responsibility to provide a public service that is vital for the operation of the society. With the transition to digital broadcast they virtually triple the income stream but do nothing to provide that information in the public interest.
That transition also presented a prime opportunity for cable companies to gouge the public for the provision of broadcasts that were easily available otherwise.
If you live in a mountainous area even within short driving distance from the broadcast sites you find that no matter how complex and well researched your antenna installation, you can't receive half the channels you want.
I still waste money on cable only for the fact that my telco/cable/internet provider is truly small town and very forward thinking. I've had fiber to the home since 2012 and the level of service would embarrass every major provider.
They won't provide CSPAN2 & 3 on my basic cable plan but to be honest I don't have the patience or time to listen to the hours of bullshit and bloviating to see who is the fuckwad of the day.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. " showed the problems of using a private entity to provide the comprehensive oversight of Congress"

No matter how you look at it, CSPAN has been viewed as free access to watching Congress live.

If you watched it on your tv, you most likely had cable.

Now it is "restricted" to those who pay Cable companies.

I suspect there will be a net neutrality law suit about this.

[PoliticAverse]

11. A lawsuit won't be able to force them to provide content for free.

You can watch Congress live via:
http://houselive.gov/
http://www.senate.gov/floor/index.htm

And live events at the Whitehouse:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/live

[flamin lib]

9. Some of the major non-cable networks are figuring it out as well.

CBS offers full access to every series, special, movie or news event on their network including past seasons all the way back to season 1 of NCIS for only $6.00 a month. NBC and ABC are still free via the net as is PBS and a number of other non cable networks.

Some cable channels offer a tease for free and let you watch some of their offering hoping to win you over to a subscription. MSNBC won't let you see full episodes but you can see major segments of the Rachel Maddow Show and other major anchors. Check out all the apps that work with Netflix (whether you use Netflix or not) and see if you can access them without a subscription. Some are available via an Android or iOS app.

FYI, if you are using ChromeCast a lot of the available free stuff doesn't cast very well 'cause Chrome is a hog for CPU usage. Firefox is working on an interface for ChromeCast and lots of other offerings are working to become compatible so the future is bright for more stuff to watch but it might take a few years.

Intel is offering a dongle for $160 that effectively makes your TV a smart set but better than the smart tvs currently out there as they all have their own browser and most of them suck. It is a barebones slow computer that requires a wireless keyboard. Google is your friend, so look for it there. Check with the seller before investing to make sure it is compatible with your TV set. It won't work with VISIO and that just chaps me 'cause I've got three of that brand.

[PoliticAverse]

14. The problem with the cable model is so many of the channels are effectively subsidized by people

that never watch them but have to pay the price for them because it's part of some "package"
they must pay for.

C-Span is a great resource but I don't expect it will survive unbundling.

[librechik]

15. Thanks for all the info and feedback, everybody! On to the archives… n/t