Bootlegging the airwaves: Alternative histories of radio and television distribution.

"Bootlegging the Airwaves: Alternative Histories of Radio and Television Distribution" by Eleanor Patterson explores the phenomenon of bootlegging in the history of broadcast media. The book challenges the dominant narrative of media companies controlling audience consumption by highlighting how bootleggers created "shadow economies" of television and radio content. The author examines the technological and social mechanisms that facilitated bootlegging, distinguishing it from piracy. Through case studies on classic radio, buddy cop television, Star Trek, and televised wrestling, the book explores the impact of bootlegging on different communities. Grounded in archival evidence, the author's fan-centered approach offers alternative perspectives on media history and the power of collective labor in media preservation. [Extracted from the article]