# C-SPAN Now — user reviews > 132 indexed App Store user reviews of C by C-SPAN, rated 3.90/5 from 631 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c-span-now/id1575769362/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c-span-now/id1575769362.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 392 · 4★ 57 · 3★ 42 · 2★ 33 · 1★ 107 ## What do users think of C? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Smooth, fast-loading app - 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly - 🔒 Unfiltered, unbiased government coverage - 💡 Convenient mobile access to C-SPAN content - 👍 Clean, modern design **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes - 🔋 High data consumption - 📺 No support for larger iPad screens - 🔍 Lack of search functionality - 🔒 Requires cable provider login for full access **Commonly reported bugs** - Video playback issues on older devices - Inability to switch between live channels - App gets stuck on last viewed video - Inconsistent behavior when rotating device **Most requested features** - Add support for Chromecast and Apple TV - Implement background audio playback - Introduce a search feature to find past content - Develop a dedicated iPad app with optimized layout - Offer a paid, ad-free version ## Newest reviews (16 of 132) ### 2/5 — Videos do not play *2026-02-14, version 1.13.1* Can’t get the video clips to play back. Shows 0.000 minutes available. ### 3/5 — Ads *2025-12-01, version 1.13.0* Adding ads is bad news. First they are repetitive and repeats every time you change to a new program. Isn’t there someplace we can go and not see ads all the time. What’s next a “paid” version. I thought C-Span was supposed to be paid for by cable providers? ### 2/5 — iPhone Only Screensize *2025-11-12, version 1.13.0* This app is a disappointment. It only shows an iPhone screensize. It needs to be updated with a version that can detect the larger screensize of an iPad and adjust to it. ### 3/5 — No Way to Search for Programs? *2025-10-30, version 1.13.0* If there is a way to search for a previously broadcast program, I can’t find it. ### 3/5 — Stuck *2025-09-17, version 1.12.9* Can’t close one video and open another. ### 3/5 — Need Apple TV App *2025-07-12, version 1.12.7* This is awesome, but needs complimentary app in Apple TV. YouTube TV doesn’t carry channel and is my provider. More people now get their TV service through such services and not Cable or Satellite Companies. Please offer your coverage to newer technology providers (internet tv providers - eg Youtube TV, Hulu, etc.) ### 4/5 — Dark Mode *2025-06-04, version 1.12.6* Both the UI and Icon need an update for automatic system wide dark mode. ### 2/5 — Needs cable login *2025-05-21* The C-SPAN radio app prodded me into installing this app; however, looking for simple replays of today’s sessions required a cable provider login. I understand the contractual restrictions with cable providers, but there needs to be a more innovative approach, especially for something that watches our own government and receives public funding. Maybe 10% of my acquaintances even subscribe to cable with the advent of streaming. Cable-only networks like FNC, CSPAN, and MSNBC will need to find a more innovative approach to reach the majority of America. **Developer response:** I have good news for you - the majority of the programming on the C-SPAN Now app does not need a cable login! Any of the video on the main "Watch" page - which includes coverage of all major political and government events - is available to watch for free for any user. Tens of millions of households still have cable and those subscriber fees are where the majority of C-SPAN's funding comes from. Our generous cable and satellite partners have allowed us to put the biggest events of the day on our app for free, so you should have no problem watching anything on the "Watch" page thanks to them. The only part of the app that requires a cable login is on the "TV" tab where you would be watching a live stream of one of our three networks. ### 2/5 — Vanish *2025-05-12, version 1.12.6* App is on my iPad, can’t figure out why the video vanishes when I try to expand view. In fact just about any adjustment causes the video to vanish. ### 1/5 — Horrendous *2025-03-28* This app is positively awful on an iPad. Not only are there obvious bugs and defects all over the place, but not all the content is accessible. Numerous committee meetings missing, senate and house sessions missing, executive press briefings missing, finding content is difficult, the features clips seem to be haphazard and partisan, the decision to use ads is a joke etc… this app is a complete mess. C-Span has forgotten its mission. It is a national treasure in decline. Time for new leadership. The CEO should be fired. Bring back Brian Lamb! **Developer response:** Thank you for your comment - and I can assure you that we have certainly not forgotten our mission and all of the staff works hard each day to bring you and all of our viewers quality content from DC and around the country. C-SPAN Now is not formatted for an iPad, it was built as an app for a phone, so all of the bugs and defects you are finding are simply becuase you are not on a supported device. If you move over to an iPhone, you should have a much easier time navigating the app. In terms of the content - the app is meant for the biggest events of the day and the archive ability of the app is the most recent 30 events. So if there is something that we covered that you think is missing, it may not be one of the most recent events and has already gotten bumped off the app. A more robust archive is found on our website and you'll be able to find over 250,000 hours of content there. The limited advertising that you find on C-SPAN Now generates new revenue that helps support C-SPAN operations, including our app. We hope that you'll sit through very short ads and understand our efforts to diversify our revenue streams as we work to bring you quality content. ### 1/5 — Bad *2025-03-18, version 1.12.5* The live videos cut out randomly and claims it ended but only for a little bit then it comes back on but it skips a good bit of information ### 2/5 — iPad user issue *2025-03-14, version 1.12.5* I keep having to close the App whenever I want to switch to another video segment or live broadcast. ### 4/5 — Needs a search feature *2025-03-13, version 1.12.5* I like this app and the ability to watch various hearings, but there is no search feature to search my name or hearing title. This seems like it would be an easy ad. Please consider adding this feature. ### 1/5 — Worst App I have ever used *2025-03-05, version 1.12.5* This app is horrible. Constantly blanks out and does not come back on without rebooting. No forward or back function. I tried watching today and had to reboot more than 20 times on two different devices. Is this really the best you can do? Why would you put this up as a legitimate app? ### 3/5 — Tolerable ui, scam virus ads not okay. *2025-02-20, version 1.12.4* The app is functional. The user interface is a bit annoying. They let scam ads about your iphone being hacked run on the app though. That really bothers me. ### 1/5 — Just really really bad *2025-01-29, version 1.12.4* App goes black and no sound when in full screen ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Don’t bother *2026-07-17* This used to be a helpful app. However, suddenly after a few “updates” ago, it stopped playing any of the videos or clips, although of course the ads play with no problem. I’ve updated the os several times and un/reinstalled the app several times across their updates, but the problem never resolved. This app isn’t worth your time - there are others that get you basically the same information but reliably. **Developer response:** We're sorry to hear you're having trouble with the app. If you're willing to give us more information about the device that you're using that may help us figure out the problem and work on a solution. Please fill out this form and we'll see what we can do: https://cspanorg.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/1/group/1/create/16 ### 1/5 — Terrible *2026-02-11, version 1.13.1* The video only plays in the corner. When I tap for full screen, it shuts off completely and is a black screen, no sound. It worked fine before the “upgrade.” ### 1/5 — Tulsi gabbard addressing Meeting of sec of state cancelled *2026-01-30, version 1.13.1* Democrat propaganda ### 1/5 — C-SPAN Now Playing Uncontested Lies *2025-11-22, version 1.13.0* Tonight I clicked on the clip of Levitt’s lie that certain parties told US military and intelligence personnel that they should disobey legal orders. There was no reference to the actual video in question, there was no response from the members of the press to whom Levitt was speaking. What is the point of C-SPAN: purveying truth or fiction? ### 1/5 — No option to navigate *2025-11-12, version 1.13.0* 11/12/2025 There is not a to navigate within the app. Right now it is stuck on the senate proceedings from November 9, 2025. There appears to be no way to close this and to see what the house of reps. are doing. So-o-o frustrating!! Please look into this so there is a broader range of choices. Thank you! ### 1/5 — Freezing *2025-09-23, version 1.12.9* This app freezes on the last watched video. Cannot fix on iPhone unless I restart phone ### 1/5 — Open Forum *2025-09-02, version 1.12.8* Where are the open forum segments for Washington Journal ### 1/5 — Treason *2025-08-01, version 1.12.8* Fake as* news media sure would like to hear more on the treasonous actions of the Democrats and how media is covering it up ### 1/5 — Crashes Immediately *2025-05-22, version 1.12.6* This app will not stay up, it crashes immediately. The last update DID NOT FIX THIS. Please make it work on iOS. 5/22/25 ### 1/5 — Commercials?!! *2025-04-04, version 1.12.5* C-Span radio now has commercials?! Are you kidding me. It’s either Commerical or it’s not. I’ve stopped listening. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — STATE OF MIND *2025-12-08, version 1.13.0* My name is GUNNIGAR RILEY SOOKWIPAT I AM AMERICAN CITIZEN SINCE 1994 I used to live in State California USA now I live in ARIZONA STATE of Sunshine ### 5/5 — Works perfectly! Love it! *2025-12-02, version 1.13.0* Works flawlessly! I love that the app will use minimized view so I can look at/do other things. Very pleased! ### 5/5 — Still the best! *2025-10-08, version 1.12.9* I have been a fan of C-Span for long time, it is so great that we can watch C-Span on C-Span Now. Perfect! ### 5/5 — Educate yourself *2025-04-27, version 1.12.5* I’m a junkie for sure enjoy the full menu…watch CSPAN and Chill. ### 5/5 — News we need *2024-12-28, version 1.12.3* True news we need unexpected unexpurgated ### 5/5 — Great but… *2024-12-14, version 1.12.3* Why is my government programming subject to adds? I already pay for this service through my taxes… ### 5/5 — It’s great! Do I need the C-Span Radio app anymore *2024-07-29, version 1.12.0* I love the app, everything I love about CSPAN all wrapped up in one! I do wonder if I can delete the other app now, since I’m guessing it won’t have anymore updates ### 5/5 — A breath of fresh air *2024-07-24* I’m a 23yo sick of media sensationalism and marketing (especially during election cycles)— I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying having the C-SPAN app. The ads are minimal, the UI is simple, the feeds are fast + high quality. Definitely a new mainstay for my daily news toolkit, and so cool to see the inner workings of government through an unfiltered lens **Developer response:** We love to hear it Emma! Thanks for sharing your positive experience with the app and keep on watching! ### 5/5 — Customisation *2023-11-15, version 1.11.8* I’d welcome customisation in settings. Move what I do watch (WJ) to top of display order, featured clips and the rest of the noise to the bottom or off screen all together. ### 5/5 — EVERY LIVING ROOM IN AMERICA! *2023-10-03, version 1.11.7* Please develop and release a TVOS, Roku, and other versions of this app to help expand the access of this platform. The live and raw broadcasts without corporate twists is what Every Living Room in America needs— NOW! Thank you for many years of service! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*