C-SPAN Now icon
C-SPAN Now Delivers Unfiltered Government Access to Mobile Devices

by National Cable Satellite Corporation

4.2
ANDROIDNews & Magazines
This app provides direct access to live government proceedings and political events without editorial commentary. Designed to help citizens stay informed about legislative activities, it streams House and Senate sessions alongside committee hearings. The interface prioritizes functionality over flashy design elements.

Detailed Review

C-SPAN Now serves as the mobile gateway to unfiltered government proceedings, offering users direct access to legislative activities without intermediary analysis. The app positions itself uniquely in the news category by focusing exclusively on raw governmental content rather than curated news reporting. This approach appeals to users seeking primary source material from Washington D.C. The core functionality centers around live streaming capabilities for C-SPAN's three main channels, plus additional event-based coverage. Users can watch House floor proceedings, Senate debates, White House briefings, and congressional committee hearings in real time. The app includes a comprehensive schedule of upcoming government events with push notifications for user-selected programs. Bookmarking features allow saving specific hearings or speeches for later viewing, while the clip-sharing function enables users to distribute notable moments through social media or messaging platforms. In practical use, the app performs reliably during high-profile events like State of the Union addresses or Supreme Court nomination hearings. The streaming quality adjusts automatically based on connection speed, maintaining viewability even on slower mobile networks. Navigation follows logical patterns with clear labeling, though some users note the interface appears dated compared to contemporary news apps. The search functionality effectively locates specific hearings or topics within the extensive archive of recorded content. User feedback consistently praises the app's comprehensive coverage of government activities without political commentary. Reviews indicate particular appreciation for the ability to watch committee markups and oversight hearings that receive limited coverage in traditional media. Some users report occasional audio synchronization issues during live streams, particularly when switching between Wi-Fi and cellular connections. The absence of closed captioning on certain archived content receives periodic criticism from accessibility advocates. The application succeeds in its primary mission of delivering transparent government access, though the experience remains utilitarian rather than polished. While the design lacks visual sophistication, the functionality meets the needs of politically engaged users who prioritize content over presentation. The app fills a specific niche in the media landscape by providing unfiltered legislative coverage that complements rather than competes with traditional news applications.

Key Features

  • Live streaming of House and Senate floor proceedings with real-time access to legislative debates and votes
  • Committee hearing coverage across multiple government agencies with archived recordings available for later viewing
  • Customizable notifications for specific events like presidential speeches or Supreme Court arguments
  • Bookmarking system that saves important moments from hearings for quick reference during research
  • Multi-channel access to C-SPAN1, C-SPAN2, and C-SPAN3 with seamless switching between live broadcasts
  • Clip sharing functionality that exports short video segments to social media platforms with proper attribution

Why Users Love It

Direct access to unfiltered government proceedings
Comprehensive archive of historical legislative content

Perfect for: Politically engaged citizens, journalists, and students who need direct access to government proceedings without media interpretation

Screenshots

C-SPAN Now screenshot 1C-SPAN Now screenshot 2C-SPAN Now screenshot 3C-SPAN Now screenshot 4C-SPAN Now screenshot 5

Ranking History

Track C-SPAN Now's performance in News & Magazines over the last 30 days

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Top 10
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Current Rank

#49

Best Rank

#49

All-time high

Average Rank

#49

30-day average

User Reviews

Stephen Waters
Jan 10, 2025

Your government at work. Should be available generally, not just for cable and satellite broadcasters, which pay for it.

Garrett Chriswell
Apr 20, 2024

Great quality on the stream from the congress. That's all I wanted and you delivered it. Could use less ads but I understand if it's necessary to offer such a crisp stream. I can see them wrinkles! 😆

Maria D Fucone
Sep 13, 2024

I like this app. It shows live coverage of the government business. I was also able to watch the RNC and DNC conventions without missing a speaker.

Allen Martinez
Jan 8, 2025

Wonderful App and easy to navigate. Great access to C-SPAN. I love Washington Journal. My civics and government tutorial.

James McLaurin
Jul 16, 2025

Just downloaded the app. 10 times better than what is shown on tv. When the tv goes to split screen, the vote totals are almost impossible to read, even on a 75" tv. Even on a cellphone everything stays crisp and clear.

App Details

Developer

National Cable Satellite Corporation

Platform

android

Rating

4.2

Last Updated

11/15/2025