Syndeo Institute announces a documentary film project about the foundation of our digital world.
In less than 80 years, the cable broadband industry has revolutionized how we are entertained and informed, how we communicate with one another, and how we interact with the world around us. Yet the technology responsible for much of our modern way of life is now so universal that we rarely give it much thought. When you stream your favorite show, video call your family, or work from home, you’re benefiting from decades of innovation by visionary entrepreneurs and technical experts whose stories have never been fully told. Without the foundations built by the cable broadband industry, much of our most celebrated artistic expression, the multi-billion-dollar economic output of the world’s largest technology companies, and the daily communication we’ve come to rely upon would not be possible.
Syndeo Institute is proud to announce Hotwired, which is the working title for a feature-length documentary that will highlight for audiences the incredible impact of cable broadband technology, how it created the foundation for our tech-focused lives, and how it has changed society and culture around the globe. “Now, if you look at really cool stories of entrepreneurship and grit and risk-taking, I think it’s hard to find a story that has all of those details times a thousand. The history of our industry has every one of those elements and more. It’s finally our time to get to tell these stories,“ explains Diane Christman, CEO of Syndeo Institute.
This isn’t just a story about television. As producer Alysha Burney, co-owner of Havey Pro Cinema and producer of Hotwired explains, ”People might consider cable as one thing, but we interact with cable when we use our phones, when we are on the computer, in so many aspects of our every day. It’s completely integrated in our lives. I don’t think the average person on the street realizes the contribution that cable makes in their lives, their work, and their everything.“ The documentary will begin with the development of the cable modem—a pivotal innovation that transformed how the world connects. From there, it will explore the technological milestones and innovations that built the infrastructure for our digital age, told through the voices of the pioneers who made it happen.
As Syndeo Institute celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025, Hotwired represents both a culmination of decades of archival work and a bold step into the future. The project aligns perfectly with the organization’s mission to preserve and share the cable industry’s legacy while embracing new digital storytelling formats. ”This is a special way to celebrate and recognize our 40th anniversary,“ says Christman. ”It’s a gift that we can give back, and what a great way to maximize our wonderful assets and archives at the Barco Library through storytelling.“
The documentary will draw extensively from Syndeo Institute’s vast archives and oral history collection—assets that have been carefully curated over our four decades. Industry veteran Lela Cocoros, who has been working with Syndeo Institute for many years—all the way back to the groundbreaking of the original Cable Center building—brings a great historical perspective to the project. ”The gems that are in that archive that have not really seen the light of day are amazing,“ notes Cocoros. ”They will really help illuminate the story in a way that we haven’t seen before.“
Hotwired is not a vanity project. The film will honestly explore both triumphs and failures, regulation challenges, and the ups and downs that shaped the industry. As Christman emphasizes, ”We’re going to produce a real documentary about the industry, including the hard parts. Nothing is a smooth line. Everything has its ups and downs.“
Havey Pro Cinema, the Denver-based documentary production company behind the project, brings years of experience working with Syndeo Institute, plus a track record of award-winning historical documentaries—we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention their four Emmys. The Havey Pro approach focuses on letting the story unfold through the voices of those who lived it, without traditional narration, which is a great way to show off the oral histories and industry archives that make up such an important part of Syndeo Institute.
When we create a historical documentary, it isn’t just about looking back, it’s about inspiring the next generation of innovators. This documentary will show how ordinary people solved extraordinary problems with creativity, determination, and limited resources. ”All of these huge names in cable were just people trying to solve problems,“ reflects Burney. ”Normal people coming up with innovative solutions and really changing the world. It just goes to show what the human spirit can do.“
For many, the word ”cable“ feels outdated, often associated more with customer service complaints than groundbreaking innovation. Cocoros, who has spent her entire career in cable, hopes the documentary will change that perception. ”People don’t think of cable as innovative. They think of it as yesterday’s technology,“ she explains. ”I think it’s important that people know the typical perception of the word cable doesn’t even begin to tell the story of this technology that changed the world.“
The first segment of Hotwired is set for completion by September 2025, serving as a proof of concept for the full documentary, which Syndeo Institute aims to complete by 2027. The project relies on community support through donations, underwriting, and sponsorship opportunities, and early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. At the recent Cable Hall of Fame ceremony, board members expressed enthusiasm, with one noting, ”This should have happened 10 years ago.“ Attendees quickly pulled out their phones to scan QR codes linking to the project’s donation page.
As Havey Pro Cinema’s motto states, they ”tell stories that matter,“ stories that make people think differently about something they thought they understood. Hotwired promises to do exactly that, revealing the hidden history behind the technology that shapes our daily lives and inspiring future innovators to tackle tomorrow’s challenges with the same entrepreneurial spirit that built our connected world. ”We are an industry that was founded on the backs of many pioneers and entrepreneurs who took a lot of risks. We can’t wait to share these stories with everyone“ says Christman.
To learn more about Hotwired and to support the project, visit our website. And follow Syndeo Institute on social media for updates about this exciting documentary project as it develops.
