Fast Forward

Fast Forwardicon

The Birth of Video Streaming, Media's Wild Child

by Craig Leddy

Publisher
Koehler Books
Publication
Sep 23, 2025
Format
Paperback/Softback
Illustrated
No
Price
18.95
Dimensions
6 x 9
ISBN
9798888248645
Pages
240
Age
Adult 18+
Category
Business & EconomicsGeneral NonfictionCareer

Rights Sold

🌍 World Wide Rights Available

Description

Long before Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube redefined entertainment, a team of innovators embarked on a groundbreaking mission: to create ondemand 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 firstever ondemand movies to a global press corps. Behind the scenes, their cuttingedge 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.

Author(s)

Craig Leddy

Craig Leddy

Throughout a fortyyear career as a business journalist, researcher, and educator, Craig Leddy has chronicled innovations in television. As a reporter and editor for Cablevision, Multichannel News, Electronic Media, and Light Reading, 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, which has mentored more than 500 business students. Leddy has taught popular industry courses to more than 7,000 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.

Related Titles

Gaza
Gazaicon
Hilary Tarazi
Radiant
Radianticon
Nancy J. Tarbell, MD, Smitha V...
Battle Forged
Battle Forgedicon
Torree McGowan, MD
The Fugazi Kid
The Fugazi Kidicon
William Branley
What If?
What If?icon
Sandy Camillo
The Torah of Social Media
The Torah of Social Mediaicon
Rabbi Avram Mlotek LMSW
The Life Project
The Life Projecticon
Neda Safaeian
Eight Stages
Eight Stagesicon
Rick Hoppe