The 1992 introduction of Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-I) technology, the initial obstacles this new technology faces, and its known progress in its first year are explored, focusing on why new technologies are successful or are not adopted. Similar to a VCR, a CD-I player links directly into any television receiver, and each 5-inch disc is capable of carrying 250,000 pages of text per 19 hours of audio per 72 minutes of full motion video or a combination of all 3. Aspects that are examined include: (1) attributes of CD-I as an innovation; (2) advantages and properties of the process; (3) compatibility; (4) complexity; (5) trialability; (6) observability; (7) cost-benefit analysis; (8) potential adopters; (9) rate of adoption; (10) criticisms of the current diffusion efforts; and (11) recommendations for an alternative campaign for communication, marketing, and diffusion. Although it is too early to make a definitive pronouncement on the outcome of the introduction of CD-I, a sufficient body of criticism has emerged to suggest that its launch without full-motion video was a serious drawback that may undermine the whole launch of this new technology. Many new ingredients are needed for an alternative diffusion campaign. The effort highlights the many problems in the introduction of a new technology. (Contains 39 references.) (SLD)