The C-Span Revolution

Beginning in 1979, C-SPAN (the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network) has offered gavel-to-gavel, unedited coverage of public events -- especially sessions of Congress -- in the United States. The C-SPAN Revolution, by Stephen Frantzich and John Sullivan, is the first history of this unique network, offering a behind-the-scenes look at C-SPAN's evolution, operation, and impact on public affairs. Because it covers politics more extensively than other networks, C-SPAN has influenced the careers of many prominent politicians. Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Newt Gingrich, and Ross Perot have taken advantage of the C-SPAN spotlight to further their careers, whereas Joseph Biden, Tip O'Neill, and Jim Wright have suffered political wounds because of C-SPAN exposure.