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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.
Last summer, Leo was discussing his legacy and mentioned you as his spiritual heir. I always saw the potential of you joining TWiT, I just didn’t think of it happening this soon.
As someone who never got to watch TechTV but discovered you and Leo and Molly and Veronica et al during the podcast revolution, I am kind of sad to see the end of an era but excited about the potential coming. It should be interesting to watch/listen/experience.
Hey Tom,
I’m very sad about you leaving CNET, i mean TWIT is great but i just cant imagine CNET without you, please keep doing some stuff for CNET
And what will happen to the real deal?
http://i43.tinypic.com/wjt8c5.png
Look at that picture and you’ll know what i mean.
Good Luck,
TheMacBox
I’m glad you’re excited, but as I regularly listen to CNET and almost never follow TWIT, I’m pretty sad. Good luck! I guess I’ll have to start following TWIT more to get my Tom Merritt fix.
I don’t know how to feel about this. I’m going to have one less reason to visit CNET.com but a new one to check out the TWiT network. Congrats on the opportunity Tom. You’ll be great wherever you go. Can’t wait to see what is in store for you.
Congrats on your new venture! I listen to you on various podcasts so looking forward to you being on TWIT.
You are the perfect fit. I could think of no one else who could carry programs as well as Leo except you. I really look forward to what you will bring, including giving Leo some rest.
I never heard of Tom Merritt until I saw him on the TWiT network. I was IMMEDIATELY impressed by his voice, his demeanor, and his likability. I had always hoped that Tom would become a bigger part of the TWiT network. It appears that my wish has been granted. Congratulations Mr. Merritt. You will add much to the TWiT network.
Wow thats big news! Really sad to see u leave cnet.. gonna miss ur commentary on BOL… Really love that show and hearing u and molly rant away… I hope u find time to come often on BOL too..
A great addition to great company. Good luck!
TM,
You are photo-genic but could use some work in the audio-genic area.
Professional announcers speak slowly in their low bass voice from the diaphram.
Tom – Congratulations.
I look forward to watching you on the TWIT network. Leo is so awesome and the two of you will bring some incredible content to your viewers.
I would love to see you guys talk more about HTML5 giving us details on how to employ this code into our websites.
Thanks,
PAUL
What an upgrade for the TWiT network, which it sorely needed! Big loss for CNET IMO. I look forward to your original programming.
Conan moving to TBS inspired you, didn’t it?
Your going to be worth listening to no matter where you are. Good Luck!!
Tom,
Congratulations, I’ll be excited to see what else you’ll bring to the TWIT Network. If your looking for idea’s I’d love to see a show about the technology behind the software we all use. Bring in developers of our favorite apps and have them talk about how they make it all work.
Gratulations Tom!
This is a good thing. But who is going to calm Molly down in the future?
Im going to miss your interactions but I am looking forward to the new TWIT stuff!
Pål – Norway
Congratulations, well done Tom. I think you’re great!
Congratulations Tom! It’s going to be great hearing you on TWiT, but you will be missed on BOL. Who’s going to argue with Rafe?
I think a couple of people have mentioned it above, but I think a podcast that has normal, everyday geeks off the street talking about tech and how it impacted or changed their life in some way would be a good show. This wouldn’t be a “call in” show, but have new people each week talking about tech. I think this would help to get new and fresh content every week.
Congrats again and keep up the good work! Leo has made a wise choice.
Wow! This is big news. Congratulations on the big move to TWiT. I’ll catch you over there. If you’re looking to fill that 20 hours, you should bring BOL over to TWiT. Best of luck!
Tom –
You, along with Molly, Jason, Brian, Natalie, Rafe, and Cooley (and all the others) were (and now, when I can) a daily part of my life, and I just have to say “thanks!” for that. BOL has become part of my life, and it will never be the same without you, but I understand change, and the need for it as a creative person. I wish you all the luck in the world, and am glad you’ll still be part of the show and the network moving forward, even if it’s only once in a while.
My only concern is that we are losing our WoW representative on the show. This is not good. Sniffle. Oh, wait…Scott can save us!
I’ll try to make it to the chat room for your new TWiT show, if I can!
~Zooks
Cool, awesome news, didn’t expect it, because I didn’t really think about you leaving CNET.
I hope you can also do BOL, I love the chemistry between you and Molly.
Can’t wait for june 1st.
Congrats!
TWiT Could do with a daily Tech Show, like Loaded, and a show about programming (as in C#, Pearl etc)
Looking forward to the shows.
The name for the sports tech show should be: This Week In Sports Tech. (TWIST)
I would love to see a Twit show on Accessibility efforts online, its affects on persons with disabilities, what companies are doing, political happenings on the front, leaders in advancing related technologies, etc. Interviews with people like google’s youtube team, software developers of accessibility solutions, etc. I’m sure people like @MarleeMatlin would love to help. This seems to be a topic often kept under the rug that should get more attention. Could also expand into technology’s accomplishment and future in real world accessibility, such as bionics, etc. There are millions and millions of people with disabilities out there of all types. I’ve never seen a show with twit style dedicated to this.
Tom,
Congratulations! This is a great step forward, in my opinion. Although, I hope that you can negotiate a great deal with CNET to remain a regular host on Buzz Out Loud and The Real Deal, as I believe that both of these podcasts would be incomplete without you as a regular host.
I would also hope that you could remain the host of Top 5 (as I don’t believe any other CNET editor, or ex-editor in your future case, could do a better job) and continue to produce a few How To episodes.
I am also going to be following you over to TWiT (will still be listening to BOL as well).
Again, congrats!
Great news Tom!
Have not watched CNet since I retired the Tivo. Seems like with Rev3 and TWiTNet we have back what we lost when G4 took over.
I asked Zane at NewTek if he’s doing your Toaster training
Leo Laporte is a very smart and lucky man.
Wow Tom. I can’t say I’ll miss you since I will hear/see you on TWiT, but still BOL and CNET just won’t be the same without you. You, Molly and Jason have such a great dynamic.
Anyway whatever you do will work well as you are super-bright, funny, sharp guy. Good luck.
What are the chances that TWIT East will be hiring hosts/assistants?
I’ve been a huge fan of TWIT for a long time, grew up around tech, graduated in ’09 as a Communications Major.
Who do I need to talk to
Cant wait to see you on!
Fantastic news. A great choice to help fill the TWiT schedule. Hopefully you will expand the discussions on East Meets West as part of this new endeavor.
I second the programming idea. I would love for someone interesting and smart, who can teach programming in plain language, to have a podcast!
Congrates on the move. Hopefully you can still work out something with CNet for a continued prescence.
With Leo’s well rounded coverage it may be tough to come up with your 20 hours. For my suggestion I would like to see more of a world wide perspective on the tech news to reflect the wide range of Leo’s listeners. I always enjoy it when Leo brings in guests from other Countries. The challenge with this suggestion will no doubt be the differing time zones. Maybe using ex-pats would be the answer.
Anyway best of luck at TWIT.
Tom ..
Great move. As I said in the tweet grab Molly and ray gun on your way out. Hope CBS/CNET is progressive enough to allow you back ever now and then. Good test of new and old media thinking.
Enjoy – beat the crap out of king Leo for equity!
Steve
What is this some kind of monopoly? You AND Leo on the same network!? =P
If I see Scott move FrogPants over I’ll really be alarmed
Seriously though, I can’t imagine CNET w/o you Tom. Forget Top Five imo, just go for continuing 5 days/week on BOL at the very least.
Someone above suggested a “How Stuff Works” themed show; I would strongly agree. 1-2 times/week explaining in detail specifically how something (tech related) works.
Good luck with all the future endeavors!
This is incredible news! As an avid fan of both your work and that on the TWiT network I couldn’t be more excited
Hey Tom, good move (will miss you on bol though). Congrats!
I’m a regular listener of CNET and TWIT podcasts, when I have a fresh batch of downloads I always think “what should I hear first, Tom or Leo?” Well, now I guess I won’t have that dilemma again!
As for content, uor are such a creative person at CNET, I’m sure you will find no trouble at all filling 20 hours at TWIT and still do some at BOL .
Best of luck on your new adventure. I’m hoping to find the guts to do it myself someday also.
Congratulations Tom. Just heard the news on TWiT. And if TWit ever does come to London then we’d be jolly pleased to welcome you!!!
Congrats Tom. I’ve been a BOL listener for a long time, Leo is the one who got me hooked on BOL. He’s been pimping you guys for a long time and I’m sure I’m not the only one who considers themselves a member of the TWIT army as well as the Buzz brigade.
BOL won’t be the same without you but I’m willing to give Molly a chance. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you’ll bring to the TWIT network and I’m sure it’ll be great. TWIT is missing a gaming podcast, something more serious than the Weekend Confirmed show, maybe that’s something you could do.
Thanks for all the years of informative and entertaining podcasts, it’s only going to get better now.
You should start a show called ghetto-tech that focuses on reusing and recycling old tech for new purposes. Like making a laptop into a digital picture frame or making a linux based firewall out of an old desktop.
I knew this was going to come some time soon. At first I was worried that you’d leave CNET, but that you’ll be joining TWiT will keep me happy. I’m a big fan. I wish you much success.
Big congrats! Life changes are a good thing especially if its self induced.
Show thoughts:
* This Week in Development (developer/beta releases, OSS, mac indie development, interviews with developers, even a shorter show with tips and tricks, etc) — I really like this idea. call me, I’ll help out.
* This Week in Gaming (all platforms, all the time)
You’re pretty good at help and how-to shows, so…
* How to make full use of web 2.0 services like Evernote, Dropbox, etc while at home and on the go.
* How to use web services across different OSes. This is always a challenge for me. I use linux at work, have a macbook pro and a windows gaming machine. Its tricky to use all three and keep your files neutral.
Good luck, Tom. I will listen to all 20 hours of your programming over on TWiT. You are a true talent.
Congrats Tom.
As for TWIT network shows that I’d like to see:
- Sword and Laser, but expand it to be a full book recommendation / discussion show. I actually enjoy when the Audible commercials on TWIT lead to mini book reviews and recommendation discussions.
– This week in gaming. Everything from PC to console to hand-held / smartphone to casual flash games. Cover hardware and games.
- This week in linux? Are there any shows out there devoted to what’s going on in the linux world?
- Mike (aka MC Fisticuffs)
Congrats on the move, although I know that BOL will survive after you are gone it will not be the same without you. I look forward to your new shows on TWIT and you definitely need to do more in the vein of Current Geek Weekly. It’s my favorite new show.
Wow, this is great news. Congratulations! Twit is a fantastic show, and to get it on the daily with you is even better. CNET will miss you dearly, I’m sure.
Co-Host: Sarah Lane. Do it.
Also, congrats!
good luck at twit, the corporate world doesn’t know how to properly value loyal, quality staff so moving is the only solution. it will take twit a little time to become a corporation and the journey will be fun.
Congratulations! I will miss you on BOL and the rest of CNET, but a welcome addition to the TWiT network.
I’m a fan of the panel shows and I’d to hear you on the flagship This Week in Tech more often. I think you give the best views on things and I love your stance on truth and that you won’t say something you don’t believe or might regret.
I’ll be listening, you have a fan.
Love your work on cnet and I’m a big twit fan, so very excited to see what you can accomplish with the flexibility of the twit network. I’m hoping to see some form of your road tests and your how to’s at twit. And how about a more frequent book club ala Sword and Laser but incorporating a wider range of books of interest to geeks…