C-SPAN to require TV subscription for some programs

WASHINGTON — C-SPAN will soon require online viewers of its original programming to verify that they are paid cable or satellite TV subscribers.

Since C-SPAN is a non-profit network that does not accept funding from the government or advertisers, it relies solely on cable and satellite companies' carriage fees. While live, original content from C-SPAN, C-SPAN2 and C-SPAN3 will soon require a sign-in, all governmental meetings, hearings and conferences will continue to be streamed online without required authentication.

"We want to continue to provide the content that people need in a way that supports our business model," said Peter Kiley, C-SPAN vice president for affiliated relations. "We developed a hybrid approach: reserve our live channel programming for those that help pay the license fees while continuing to provide a free public service to our viewers."

All live videos, whether behind the authentication restriction or not, will later be archived for streaming in its video library, which will not require a sign-in. Kiley, citing a study that 75-85% of televisions will be connected to the Internet by 2017, said that the network carefully studied other networks with similar online policies. Since C-SPAN is a commercial-free network, however, executives couldn't directly mimic other networks' models -- they had to develop their own.

"We consider this a very positive step for everyone," he said.

The shift comes as C-SPAN is overhauling its online presence, including a complete redesign of its website and transition to mobile and tablet-friendly platforms.

Kiley said the company has not yet set a specific date for the authentication plan to begin, but he expects it will take effect later this summer.