Nearly 30 years old today, the Weather Channel almost died in its infancy. But despite early financial losses, founder Frank Batten pushed the unique cable television network forward until it gained great success.

That’s one of the facts freelance writer and former newspaper reporter Connie Sage shared today while discussing her book Frank Batten: The Untold Story of the Founder of the Weather Channel with the John Locke Foundation’s Shaftesbury Society.

In the video clip below, Sage discusses Batten’s exemplary leadership.

3:20 p.m. update: Click play below to watch the full 39:01 event.

You’ll find other John Locke Foundation video presentations here.