C-SPAN Offers The Capitol in HD On Demand

Cable-created public-affairs channel C-SPAN said a 107-minute documentary version of its HD series, The Capitol, was released to free HD on-demand program offerings at cable systems around the country, including those owned by Comcast and Cox Communications in and around the nation's capital.

The Capitol debuted on C-SPAN in May 2006 as a 10-hour series, over three nights, with never-before-seen images of the art, architecture and history of the U.S. Capitol, starting with the building's opening in 1800. It was C-SPAN's first production recorded with HD cameras.

The free on-demand package features 107-minute, documentary-style The Capitol Tour, in both HD and standard-definition formats, comprised of taped video vignettes from the original series plus six bonus featurettes that are available in SD only.

The featurettes are: Old Supreme Court Chamber, 9:45; Old U.S. Senate Chamber, 9:35; U.S. Capitol Statuary Hall, 19:55; U.S. Capitol Speaker's Lobby, 4:25; The Congressional Mace, 16:47; and Art in the U.S. Capitol, 11:26.

On Comcast in the D.C., area, the SD version of The Capitol Tour documentary is available in the Searchlight category until Aug. 31. The Capitol Tour is available in the HD On Demand category to Comcast subscribers until May 29.

On Time Warner Cable, The Capitol Tour in SD and HD is available in all divisions through Sept. 1 (HD not available in New York City).

Cox, Insight Communications, Mediacom Communications, Buckeye CableSystem and other cable companies are providing the programming on-demand through their service areas, as outlined in local listings. The SD version of the documentary is also on sale as a DVD.