Why You Should Get Political Coverage From C-SPAN
The lowest-rated network in your regular TV rotation is also the only place I’ve ever watched a presidential debate. And I’ve seen a lot of them – I’ve watched literally every presidential debate, both the primary and the general election, from about 2012 to the present day. My secret? Deep masochism and inability to look away from the dysfunction of the political process in our country. But also C-SPAN.
What is C-SPAN?
C-SPAN is a non-profit public television network founded in 1979 and primarily funded through cable and satellite services. That’s right – a group of them has teamed up to offer impartial, ad-free news coverage to nearly every home in the United States to improve public education and understanding. It covers both political and non-political topics (history programs, books, interviews with authors) and has expanded to C-SPAN 2, C-SPAN 3, radio broadcasts and live broadcasts on the Internet. It works completely independently: the government is not concerned with what it covers and never asks for donations. In fact, it is a miracle that is usually taken for granted. Bloody gift.
Is C-SPAN boring?
Yes. Oh shit, yeah. But if you spend a lot of time on the Internet, you can use an ad blocker to prevent all pop-ups and trackers from interrupting your browsing on the Internet. Likewise, C-SPAN blocks ads on cable news, hiding in plain sight under a veil of sheer boredom. I think it’s fair to say that C-SPAN is the most boring network on your TV, including those channels that just scroll through the cable schedule.
Comedian Larry Wilmore said it best at an extramural dinner at the White House in 2016, when such events still existed: “C-SPAN is the number one network among people who died watching TV and no one has found them yet,” joked he. “Glad I’m not on your competing network, HDMI-1 No Input.” This joke was a direct attack on me, because I know it’s true, but I still hate when people hit my beloved. (You can find Wilmore’s joke – where else – on C-SPAN here , proving that while the web is incredibly tedious, it’s also completely self-aware.)
Should I watch the latest presidential debate?
No. I do not recommend this, and there are many other more interesting things to see that will distract you from a decision you no doubt made a long time ago. We’ve even compiled a list of them – full 20 alternatives to watching presidential debates . They are all good choices and any option is better than watching what happens from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm in Tennessee tonight. Others carry this cross, so you don’t have to – unless you want to, in which case you should watch it on C-SPAN.
Why should I watch C-SPAN over other news networks?
Nobody watches C-SPAN except me and a few other true believers. But what lurks behind the boredom is the simple truth for those who want their information without the spectacle and criticism of cable news: C-SPAN is “boring” in the same way that your Google searches can be “boring” if you remove the endless stock advertisers vie for your attention.
So when it comes to a presidential debate – an unsettling bullshit that has little function other than to provoke outrage – the last thing I need is additional network pundits, sports chironos, flashy animations, and commercials. I want dry, even, unreactive boredom to calm my nerves and give me the strength to take action. Nothing can stop me on C-SPAN. I’m unfazed. I will Survive.
How can I watch the presidential debate on C-SPAN?
Like everything about C-SPAN, it is so easy that anyone can find what they are looking for without much hassle. Find your local C-SPAN channel from your cable TV service provider or visit the C-SPAN website . You can also search the archive of past debates (although you won’t) and find many other suggestions that can cure insomnia.
The evening event will take place at the University of Nashville Belmont and will be moderated by NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker. C-SPAN begins at 20:00 ET; before the action begins, reporting often begins with a panning camera looking at people who are literally doing nothing. The debate is scheduled for 9pm ET.