The Inside Story of a Media Revolution
Long before Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube redefined entertainment, a team of innovators embarked on a groundbreaking mission: to create on-demand movie streaming, interactive shopping, and virtual gaming through the visionary concept of interactive television. Spearheaded by Time Warner CEO Jerry Levin, the ambitious Full Service Network (FSN) sought to outpace media moguls, including cable pioneer John Malone and Microsoft’s Bill Gates, in a race for digital dominance.
In 1994 the developers risked it all to unveil the first-ever on-demand movies to a global press corps. Behind the scenes, their cutting-edge network teetered on the brink of collapse, threatening a public humiliation.
In Fast Forward: The Birth of Video Streaming, Media’s Wild Child, renowned business journalist and television expert Craig Leddy reveals this thrilling story of innovation, teamwork, and resilience amid a backdrop of corporate hubris and greed. With unparalleled insight, Leddy connects the trailblazing efforts of the early digital pioneers to the streaming revolution that still is disrupting entertainment and culture. Their successes, failures, and lessons offer timeless wisdom for navigating today’s digital business landscape.
- Coming in September -
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Published by Koehler Books
About the Author
Throughout a forty-year career as a business journalist, researcher, and educator, Craig Leddy has chronicled innovations in television. As a reporter and editor for numerous industry publications, Leddy covered major milestones in cable, broadband, and interactive media history. Leddy founded Interactive TV Works, Inc. and produces and hosts the biannual Interactive Case Competition. He teaches popular industry courses to media professionals, earning acclaim for his insights and engaging style. Leddy lives outside New York City, where he and his wife enjoy both traditional television and streaming.