And We're Live in 3 ... 2 ... 1979: C-SPAN

Brian Lamb, CEO and Founder of C-SPAN stepped down today, the 33rd anniversary of its first broadcast of US House proceedings on March 19th, 1979, a speech By Al Gore, then a representative from Tennessee.  Lamb had first conceived of the concept in 1975, envisioning a non-profit outlet for live telecasts of Congressional sessions as well as other activities.  C-SPAN (Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network) began to televise the Senate starting in 1986.  In time, the network would also broadcast sessions of the Canadian and British Parliaments, as well as other events, although numerous requests to televise the US Supreme have not been granted.  Today, there are three C-SPAN channels as well as C-SPAN radio, carried on XM Radio.  This was the first outlet for sustained live coverage of government proceedings and it has done much to promote not for profit, non partisan transparency in government.  Cheers, Brian!