C-SPAN has crossed one of the most significant milestones for cable networks: the channel is now available in more than 100 million homes.
The 100 million subscriber club is a very small group, with the National Cable & Telecommunications Association estimating that only 20 channels (21 with C-SPAN) have crossed the barrier. Not surprisingly the list features many of the major brands in cable television.
The only other news channels to have more than 100 million subs are CNN, CNBC and The Weather Channel. Other networks include ESPN, Discovery, Nickelodeon, TBS and USA.
C-SPAN is owned by the cable companies and provided as a public service, so it does not accept outside advertising. It does receive carriage fees however, with SNL Kagan estimating it brings in an average of $0.05 a month from carriers.
By comparison, Weather brings in an average of $0.11 a month, and CNBC $0.29, according to SNL Kagan.
C-SPAN was one of the earliest national cable channels, launching in 1979 in just 3.5 million homes.
The full list of 100 million sub channels is after the jump.
1 TBS 101,900,000
2 The Weather Channel 101,700,000
3 Discovery 101,500,000
4 Nickelodeon 101,400,000
5 USA Network 101,200,000
6 TNT (Turner Network Television) 101,100,000
7 CNN 101,000,000
7 Food Network 101,000,000
9 HGTV 100,900,000
9 Lifetime Television 100,900,000
9 TLC 100,900,000
12 Spike TV 100,800,000
13 ESPN 100,700,000
14 Cartoon 100,600,000
15 Disney Channel 100,500,000
16 MTV 100,400,000
17 CNBC 100,300,000
17 History 100,300,000
19 A&E 100,100,000
20 VH1 100,000,000
21 C-SPAN 100,000,000
Source: NCTA