C-SPAN Video Library
Type of site | Video streaming of C-SPAN archived public affairs programming |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Owner | C-SPAN |
| URL | http://www.c-spanvideo.org/ |
| Registration | None |
The C-SPAN Video Library is an online archive of video and audio programming from the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN), making available the complete collection of C-SPAN's programming since 1987.[1][2] The website officially launched on March 17, 2010,[3] at which point over 160,000 hours of digitized video footage was available. In its first year, the website was awarded an Association of Cable Communicators' Golden Beacon award.[2]
History
C-SPAN has recorded and catalogued its coverage of Congress and other public affairs programming since the establishment of the C-SPAN Archives, based in Lafayette, Indiana, since 1987. However, prior to the Video Library's launch, C-SPAN's archived programming was only available to the public via videocassette and DVD purchase from C-SPAN; with the approval of the network's board of cable industry executives, the online archive was developed to make C-SPAN content more immediately accessible.[4] The C-SPAN Video Library debuted unofficially in August 2007, with hosted video streaming and limited search tools. The following year, C-SPAN added an embeddable player to the Video Library's website.[5] The full archive officially launched in March 2010,[5] upon completion of a multi-year project that digitized C-SPAN programming from 1987 onward.[2] Following the site's launch, an additional 10,000 hours of early C-SPAN tape recordings of programming from 1979 to 1987 were slated for restoration, digitization and addition to the online archive.[4]
Content
The C-SPAN Video Library website allows access to the network's collection of Congressional proceedings and other political and public affairs programming, including complete archives dating back to 1987, with some earlier footage dating back to the launch of C-SPAN in 1979.[2][6] Prior to the establishment of the C-SPAN Archives, not all recordings were saved and so only approximately 10,000 hours of C-SPAN's earliest programming from 1979 to 1987 remain.[6] Today, all new C-SPAN programming is catalogued and digitally archived within hours of its broadcast.[7] In addition to C-SPAN programming, the C-SPAN Video Library website provides access to some historic videos from the National Archives, such as video from U.S. president Richard Nixon’s 1972 trip to China.[7] All content on the C-SPAN Video Library is searchable[2] and browsable by program, topics, date, and individuals.[8] The "Congressional Chronicle" is a data-rich section of the Video Library offering searchable transcripts of House and Senate floor debates, as well as dedicated content pages for current and past members of Congress, with biographies, voting records, campaign finance records and a timeline of House and Senate sessions.[9]
Public response
Since its official launch, the C-SPAN Video Library has received significant positive media attention.[6] It has been described by some media commentators as a landmark educational tool[8] and as a unique tool for journalists to follow political figures and to compare current and previous statements made by politicians.[10][6] In September 2010, the C-SPAN Video Library was awarded the Golden Beacon by the Association of Cable Communicators.[2]
References
- ^ Chris Cillizza (15 March 2010). "Early races for Congress may give forecast for November; C-SPAN presents". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f Mike Reynolds (16 September 2010). "ACC Awards Golden Beacon To C-SPAN's Video Library". Multichannel News. NewBay Media, LLC. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
- ^ "C-SPAN's Online Video Library Now Open to the Public" (PDF). C-SPAN. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
- ^ a b Eric Weddle (24 March 2010). "C-SPAN Archive puts history's raw copy on the Internet". Journal and Courier.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ a b "C-SPAN Milestones". C-SPAN. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ^ a b c d Brian Stelter (15 March 2010). "C-SPAN Puts Full Archives on the Web". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
- ^ a b Chuck Raasch (25 March 2010). "Changing the way we view history". Common Ground. Gannett News Service Multimedia. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
- ^ a b Frances Martel (16 March 2010). "C-SPAN Online Archives Will Redefine Social Studies Education In America". Mediaite.com. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
- ^ "C-SPAN Congressional Chronicle". law.uconn.edu. University of Connecticut School of Law. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
- ^ Jaya Saxena (16 March 2010). "C-SPAN's Entire Archives Now Online". Gothamist. Retrieved 15 December 2010.