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Starting May 14th I’ll be doing a whole lot of different things.
On that day I’ll step down as a full-time employee of CNET. I’ve been there almost 6 years. They were my lifeboat after TechTV sunk and I’ve met and worked with some awesome people there.
But I’m burying the lede. Starting June 1 I’ll be joining Leo Laporte’s TWiT network as a daily host. Stay tuned to TWiT for more details on what I’ll be doing there.
As for CNET, I’m still working out the details of what I can continue to do there. Maybe Top 5, and maybe some regular appearances on BOL.
Overall I’m incredibly excited. This will allow me to keep doing some of the things I love for CNET, while opening the door to a whole lot of creative flexibility and control over my own content.
So what kind of content do you want to see on TWiT? I’ll have some 20 hours or so to fill, so ideas are more than welcomed!
Thanks again to CNET for being pretty cool through this process and a huge thanks to Leo for having the confidence in me to give me this opportunity!
And thanks to all the folks who watch and listen to what I’ve done over the years. Because if you hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this.
Update: For perfectly understandable reasons, CNET has declined to keep me on part-time to do any shows. But I do have pitches out at a couple other outlets. Plus they’re paying for the drinks on my last day, so I’ll make sure to make them feel it then.
Great news, I can’t wait to see you regularly on TWiT. One question, will you be hosting from the TWiT cottage?
It’s going to be a strange BOL without you
Good luck in your new endeavors!
as a BOL listener… is definitely bittersweet. but congrats on your new position. will definitely miss you on BOL as you have been the constant on that show since i first started listening several years ago. ever since veronica left, i knew that some day either you or molly would also find other opportunities. good luck and it looks like i’ll have to start listening to TWiT more often now.
Good luck, Tom!
CNET’s loss, but Leo’s gain.
Congrats, Tom! I’m going to miss you on BOL
. Maybe a daily 30-45min tech wrap-up show would be good on the TWiT network? 
.
As far as new podcast content I’d be interested in how about a gadget podcast on equipment that’s been out for longer than 1yr and talk about how well stuff holds up over time?
Welcome aboard…
MORNING ZOO!
Glad to see you come to TWiT, sad to see you go from CNET.
Big congratulations! I hope you get a regular opportunity to discuss tech news, because I really enjoy your commentary on BoL.
If Molly would make the same move and join you on a daily news show, that’d be perfect.
Wow, that is major news! I always thought of you as one of the stalwarts over at CNet! Best of luck with the new job!
As to what I’d like to see more of … I think between all the TechTV-alum ventures, there’s a bit of an echo chamber going on … same old personal tech news being rehashed in some shape or form, for the most part. Maybe we could sneak in some enterprise tech news & analysis? … For example, why are most companies (certainly the multinationals) committed to Wintel computing at the desktop? What are the major trends in Information Management (SharePoint, blogs, wikis) in a corporate setting vs. non-corporate settings?
Also, taking a cue from the fine folks over at ow Stuff Works, maybe you could do a weekly podcast talking about how technology works … how does XML work, how do networks work, and so on …
Congratulations, Tom.
I’ve admired your work for a long time. Erudition and wit are rarely mixed with such charm. Good luck, and I look foward to adding yet more content to an already overloaded podcast list.
J. Campbell
Wow! Can’t say I’m completely surprised, but I also can’t imagine Buzz Out Loud without you full time! Can’t wait to see what kind of fun stuff you come up with over at TWiT. Good luck in the transition!
Congrats Tom, sounds like a great opportunity!
Congrats! That is great news, hope you will still be on BOL sometimes. Go Cards!
Holy crap! I didn’t see you stepping down out of CNET so much. I’m going to miss your daily appearences on BOL. /cry
However, TWiT is an awesome place for you. Congratulations and I can’t wait to see what happens.
What I think is missing on TWiT (and may require somewhere other than the current cramped room at the cottage) is a way to show off and tear apart and screw around with various tech. gear on a big work table… stuff that used to happen on older shows like Leo did on the television.
Right now, the TWiT shows are pretty much exclusively in-studio and behind a mike and sitting down. That’s okay, but I figure there is room for some other kinds of shows.
I’ve enjoyed it when Leo has even just gone out back to show off that Laser cutting machine, or given a tour of the Mustang with it’s integrated smart interface… So, I guess this would all count as OUT-OF-THE-STUDIO material. It’s interesting when it happens. More stuff using the mobile rig possibly? That is, some remote stuff? Not all of it would have to be live… there is room for some pre-recorded stuff to make it easier.
Other ideas… Shows like This Week in Tech go into great detail on a limited number of stories, but there is room for a show covering what is new LIVE as it happens but without analysis.
Also, if the tech. can be figured out (Leo has tried a bit in the past), a live call-in show — not tech. support questions though but a yak fest with listeners about current tech. topics… Apple and Adobe fight, etc. for example.
A lot may depend on where you feel you have the most expertise as well.
Hope that helps!
It certainly will be interesting to see what you end up doing with those 20 hours or so a week to fill with content! Time to let those creative juices flow.
That’s awesome Tom. Looking forward to hearing more of you on Leo’s network soon.
I’m happy for you.. But at the same time I have tears realizing that BOL will not be the same with out you.
I’ve never been a TWIT subscriber, but I guess that will have to change now.
First beer is on me next we meet, and pat on the back Merritt!
Congrats!
Stephen
darthweef
Woaw, that’s big news! I’ve always known CNET with Tom Merritt. As the Joker said so well in The Dark Knight movie: “you’ve changed things… Forever”. Of course by things I mean my BOL habits and stuff, but eh, it’s always good to move forward. Good for you, you are a truly great mind, too great not to do something new and different, and that’s exactly what you are doing. Congratulations.
I’ve been enjoying Fourcast a lot recently and I’d really appreciate it to be broadcasted on the TWiT network. I’ve heard you’ll do a revamp of Swords and Lasers too. Current Geek and East Meet West already have a foot in the cottage. Mmm, maybe something new to come? (also I can definitly see you as a fine reader for Audible)
Again, I’m one of your biggest fan here in France (after Patrick Beja obviously) so you can count on me to support whatever you’ll do next.
This is awesome! Congrats. I can’t wait til June.
Congratulations, Tom! I’ve been loving East Meets West & Current Geek weekly on TWiT so it will be great to see more of you!
Sad to see you leaving cnet & BOL, but I’m happy for you and TWIT. I’d love to see TWIT actually produce more videos and not just replay live recordings, more like the Buzz Report. A higher production value never hurt anyone. Are you bound to stay on “tech” topics at TWIT or could you do something like EMW there?
More Tom rants! That rant on BOL earlier in the week was awesome.
Good to have you onboard Tom
Looking forward to working with you!
-Tony
Holy frickin Moley!
Yay TWiT! Yay Tom!
So, so awesome! We’ll miss you on BOL, but I am excited to see what you do at TWiT!
This is awesome news, and I think a cast on x, y, or z would fit in well with TWiT!
OK, I already filled up your allotment with show ideas that I posted to you on Twitter. You’re good now. :0)
Good luck and let us know when iTunes has the feed for your shows in podcast form.
Are you bringing Sword and Laser over to TWiT?
Tom – Sorry to hear of your departure from CNET but glad I’ll get to hear you on TWiT.
You and Molly are great foils for each other on BOL. Hope you make it back often and best of luck in your new endeavor!
Wow. Congratulations. Two of my favs. This is a win-win-win!
Congrats man! That’s awesome.
THAT JUST HAPPENED!!!
Congrats, I think. Change scares me but, as you’re the best voice on the ‘casts out there and TWIT network seems to be the best platform for podcasts I hope this is a good thing.
Anyhow as long as your happy and the cheesy links carry on with the skill that you’ve managed to maintain in slicing them then I’m happy.
Congratulations Tom! This is good news, I couldn’t be more delighted for you
Holy smokes! This comes as a complete surprise to me. I look forward to hearing your contributions on the TWiT network.
This is great and it sucks at the same time. I love BOL and will miss you on that show. Will this be the morning show style stuff Leo has been hinting about?
Amazing, Tom. Very excited to hear what you create.
All I can think of is “Today in tech”. The only thing This Week In Tech is lacking is frequency, and you’re absolutely the man to make a daily version a reality!
I’m gutted you’ll be leaving BOL, your insight and opinions make the show.
I hope you keep making more shows along the lines of FourCast, which is by far my favourite piece of online content.
Cheers Again for making great shows, I hope the switch works out for you.
Pettman
Congrats Tom. I have followed the techtv crowd for many years, and I am glad many of you have stayed close.
TWIT.tv has been growing in listeners and content for a while now and I hink you will be a great addition to the show. East meets West is an engaing show that keeps the interest of the audience and touches on topics we talk about all the time. Geek Week show much promise also with differing topics. I do hope you can keep your other interest going also, like appearances on BOL & Sword & Laser.
Again, Good luck on your new adventure.
Chris
I’m not sure what to think. I’m crushed to see BOL breaking up, because you and Molly make the best show I’ve ever heard. Also, I thought TWiT had jumped the shark months ago – all the TWiT network shows are two hours long! Boooorrrrring.
On the other hand, you rock, and I’ll be very interested in hearing what you come up with.
Maybe it’s me coloring the past, but it seems you’ve been a lot more opinionated on BOL for the past few ‘casts. Specifically, I’m looking in the direction of the (awesome) “unpatriotic and a threat to your security” tirade on RIAA/MPAA shenanigans in episode 1207.
Perchance this change had something to do with the loosened tongue?
June 1 seems an eternity away; I’m stoked about what you’ll bring to the TWiT network. You’re easily one of the most insightful, eloquent techies in the web ocean.
Looking forward to the transition and future.
/phil
Congratulations! I hope you can convince Molly Wood to come with you. It was great to have the two of you together again on BOL and it saddens me to know that it won’t be the same again.
Looking forward to a lot more of EMW and other geeky/intellectual shows on TWiT. I would definitely like to hear more about your views on intellectual property, patents and copyright.
Congrats! Can’t wait to see what you do!
Congratulations Tom! I really enjoy watching/listening to you on CNET and look forward to your programming with TWiT!
Leo’s succession plan is going perfectly. Excellent (ala Mr. Burns)!
A tip of the hat to you good sir. I hope this means seeing you around more often on Twit shows as well (especially the NSFW show
).
But but but……… your the voice of reason on BOL, I dont think I can take Molly’s Apple hating rants alone, I will watch you on TWIT but but but…… BOL may be a problem /sigh. waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
“It’s a change.” – Microsoft
Nice one! Good luck with your new endeavours!
CONGRATS! I’ll be sad that you won’t be a regular on BOL anymore (we just got you and Molly back together!), but I can’t wait to hear what you do on TWiT. I’ll be subscribing, that’s for sure.
Though I’m sad to see less of you on Cnet, I am happy you are still going to be doing podcasts. You do a lot of stuff at the moment, between The Real Deal, Top 5, and BOL plus what you do on Twit, so its understandable you would want to lessen your workload some. From what I understand, Twit.tv is going to be getting some pretty interesting people joining soon, like Veronica Belmont, so its not like you’re going to be in bad company.