Tom is an award-winning independent tech podcaster and host of regular tech news and information shows. Tom hosts Sword and Laser, a science fiction and fantasy podcast, and book club with Veronica Belmont. He also co-hosts Daily Tech News Show, covering the most important tech issues of the day with the smartest minds in technology.
Tom also hosts Cordkillers with Brian Brushwood, bringing people the news they need to watch the TV shows and movies they want when they want and how they want them. That’s not all! There’s also It’s a Thing with Molly Wood, A Word with Tom Merritt with some of the smartest most interesting people on the planet, and Know A little More. All his shows are listed on the subscription page.
From 2010 until 2013, Tom hosted the award-winning Tech News Today and weekly cord-cutting show Frame Rate on the TWiT network. He created, developed and produced both shows.
From 2004 until 2010 Tom was executive editor for CNET TV at CNET.com. He hosted the daily Buzz Out Loud podcast and a weekly how-to show called The Real Deal. In addition, Tom hosted regular segments on CNET TV like Top 5, How-to, Hacks, and more.
Tom served as executive producer for TechTV’s website until 2004. He started at ZDTV as Producer of The Screen Savers website in 1999.
Tom has run SuBBrilliant.com since 1996. It is a collection of Web experiments including SuBBrilliant News, a parody news blog, and the East Meets West podcast which features Roger Chang.
You’ll also find Tom as a guest or interviewed as an expert on many TV, radio and Internet shows like ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS Radio, NPR, This Week in Tech, The Phileas Club and more.
Tom is @[email protected] on Mastodon
“…an in-studio anchor for Tech News Today, and a News Director “
Erm…and the choice was Mike Elgan? The guy who’s blogging his globe-trotting on Google+?
Interestingly, today’s episode of “A very special TNT” introduced Mike and Leo said he didn’t expect him to be in-studio for long. So it’s no longer about whatever went down between you guys. Now it’s also about an audience that will react to having the truth blatantly misrepresented.
Kudos on a very classy closing on your Twit/TNT days. You’ll be hugely missed – I don’t think they really realize how much yet but change is inevitable anyway – change = life so I look forward to your next steps. i’ll miss the TNT I remember that I caught at the end of my tech job day life (being on the east coast) but I’m sure you’ll quickly close that same gap in another form. It was a great chapter, looking forward to the next.
Tom,
Thanks for such a great TNT show. I am really going to miss the personality dynamics you, Iaz, and Shannon brought to the show. Your soccer sportscaster level enthusiasm and articulation to the world of tech was refreshing. I was convinced that all of Iaz’s puns were primarily intended to make you laugh.
As I am sure about the other audience members, I am looking forward to your next ventures!
Charles Jo
Silicon Valley
Hey Tom, I come from China and have been listening to your Tech News Today for almost two years. A big fan of you guys. Just so sad to hear you leave the show. Really like your hosting style. You are definitely a GREAT team player, not aggressive but insightful. Your style so fit into China culture. :-). Wish you another good journey in your life!!
Sincerely
Bruce
I’m already feeling the pain of not having you on TNT. Mike Elgan seems like a nice enough guy and I wish him succcess, but he’s severely lacking the energy and personality you brought to the show.
Well Tom, I’m very sad to see you leave TNT and Iyaz too. I have both watched and listened via podcast for years now and wow it sucks you are leaving. Best wishes on your new adventure but a door closed means another is opening. I’m 65 years old and have been playing with computers and technology since my first Vic-20. Now I’m retired and TNT won’t be the same without you guys. I’ll keep checking your website looking for anything new you may be doing. Thanks for all the good shows.
Tom….
In response to Anthony’s comment…. I too heard Leo’s say that Mike would not be in the studio for long… All I can sasy is Hmmmm!! 100% contrary to Leo’s reason for Mike joining the TNT team…..!
I listened to the new “brand” of TNT today… I have always enjoyed Mike guest-hosting on various TWIT shows… Sharing his views & insight on various tech topics.
However, today it became clear that being a show host is a totally different type of role… One which Mike is not currently prepared for…. Instead of learning from the “king of segways”. ;-)ⁿ, a number of “um’s & uh’s” piersed through his strained reading of prepared text…. Thankfully, Sarah was AWESOME as usual and truly carried today’s show…
Tom… We all already knew that you are a great person…. But your actions these last few weeks as you prepared to exit TWIT, have proved beyond a doubt, what a truly a “class act” you really are!!!
I can only wish you the very best as you move forward in your career…. Your new show will be the first I listen to daily… I LOVE your style of delivery…. Keep it up, my friend!! Best of luck with “The Daily Tech News show!!!!
Congratulations on “landing on your feet” with your new network. As disturbing as your departure from TWiT was, I am even more excited about your fresh yet seasoned perspective on the tech world.
I would love to see a show that focuses on open-source OSs and software (think Linux Action Show rather than FOSS). In particular, it would be great to have a show that covers the real-world reasons, benefits of challenges of moving from a commerical, closed-source world (Windows, Mac) to open-source alternatives (Linux, BSD, etc.). Looking at small business and desktop conversion is a topic-rich area to consider.
Any plans for an XBMC video plug-in? Any thoughts about approaching Jupiter Broadcasting as a partner?
Tom, I am not sure what went down with TWIT, but you will be missed. I wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors.Thank you for being a great host with talent and personality that can’t be matched. Take Care!
Tom,
Pace yourself. Your work is more important now than it ever was at TWiT. You are one of your generation’s torch bearers of freedom of information and thought much in the same way Leo is of his. On the surface, your departure from Twit was very similar to his departure from Techtv. Just as he ushered in a new way to approach educating the public about technology and tech news using new broadcast paradigms, so will you. This is an awesome time to be in tech and you remind us every day how fun, interesting, challenging and profoundly life-changing technology is. Pace yourself, we are behind you all the way.
Ethan
Hi Tom, I am a 58 year old Australian who has been following you on TWIT for years. I have found you to be one of the best Tech Journos out there and have been a regular listener to TNT. I will miss you at TWIT but now I can follow you with your own show.
Keep up the good work, you are a natural with your understanding of the Tech world and your sense of humour as well your balanced approach.
I now have you as a regular pod cast on my iPhone and will look forward to an enjoyable experience when I hear your melodic voice.
Thanks Tom.
TNT is the worst daily news show ever now that Mike E is hosting. After 2 days of painfully trying to listen to it, I unsubscribed today. He’s just plain terrible, dull, boring, and has no interesting perspective on Tech like you have Tom. I can’t imagine that it will continue to do well. On the other hand, your new daily show is awesome. Hoping you can pick up sponsors soon because I want it to continue. Also following Current Geek. Keep up the good work.
Hate to see you leave TNT. Big mistake, in my opinion. I always enjoyed you and Leo’s hosting, cause you could tell you came from a broadcasting background. You kept things moving and interesting, and from what I’ve heard so far I dont think I will be listening for long. Good Luck, we’ll miss you.
I was completely shocked when I found out that you were no longer going to be the host of TNT. I thought to myself, “what in the world happened here?! Is there something better that Tom will be doing?” You and Iyaz were the reason that I watched TNT. I tolerated Sarah Lane, she’s an idiot who knows nothing substantial in the Tech world except the latest cat meme but to have the soul of the show gone means that the fan base will more than likely leave too. I hope to see you in a video podcast soon that will replace the huge hole in my life now.
Love the show. You’re so much easier to listen to than the “new guy” on the “other” podcast network. You’re keeping things interesting.
Greetings from Finland. I followed the TNT show from 2010 till the end. Thanks and all the best for you in the future.
Tom,
Have you made a dent in the Talisker scotch supply?
Tom,
I listened to the first TNT without you and I couldn’t bear to listen for very long. I am very likely going to unsubscribe. I pleased to see you are doing a tech show with some of the same guests. I enjoyed TNT especially your references to Greenville as I work at the hospital.
Best of luck, but I’m sure you will do just fine.
Tom – I’ve been watching you and the gang at TNT for a couple of years now. I watched the last couple of shows with Mike and Sarah. Mike is a great tech guy. He just doesn’t have your presentation skills. You’re a natural. I was extremely impressed by your coverage of the Mars rover landing. I just subscribed to your show on YouTube. Looking forward to watching your show everyday. Start selling ads! Good luck to you and your family.
Tom – You need two people to make a great regular news team and IMHO the best person for you is Molly Wood. You really did work very well with each other and I can’t understand why you two are not doing a regular daily news show. Oh well….
Incidentally, I will send you a free Kindle (or paper) copy of my new book if you want – TJ Kirby
Miss you on TNT Tom! Best of luck in 2014!
Tom, TWIT messed up. TNT is terrible! I started listening to TWIT shows when I followed you over from CNet back in 2010. You, Iyaz, and Sarah were a great group and really complimented each other well. I’ve always liked Mike Elgan as a writer, but he’s just not cut out for being a broadcast host. Ok as a guest only. Leo really screwed up and has ruined TNT. If he was smart, he would rethink his decision and get you guys back as quickly as possible!
DTNS absolutely a home run, as is CordKillers. On 1/6/14 watched TNT rerun just before DTNS via YouTube & Chromecast- no comparison – like watching Bob Gibson pitch against a double A team. Sarah doing her best – almost anyway, as she’s clearly irritated, but carrying Mike on her back while she’s financially tethered to TWIT. Mike a smart journalist and bright guy; however, TNT is out of his depth. Still he deserves a couple months to catch Sarah’s energy and develop some style. Tom if there is a way to contribute to your operating expenses, rather than ‘ per episode’, please post it on the website. Paypal, etc – even a check to Merritt LLC! Some of us don’t like the weekly/monthly poke at our credit cards and would prefer to donate up front. Regards
Been listening to the recent TNT shows and wow…it needs help. I think the problem is Mike is trying to do the show like Tom instead of finding his own style that works best for him. The thing that makes me cringe the most is when he says “And now…it’s time for…’the conversation’…” {{{{{shudder}}}}}
But on to new things — liking your new news show! 🙂
I sense a disturbance…in the frog pants…
If you like Check out the store page. Anything you buy there kicks back to me especially the books and shirts.
If you don’t want stuff, hang in there. I’m working on plans.
Well Tom,
I have been watching TNT for a few years now and was really sad and shocked to hear that you and Iyaz were leaving. I see from the above comments that people are missing you from TNT, I too would say the same. However after watching the first few TNT shows I can not believe I wasted my bandwidth. The show is now dull, boring and unwatchable. Sarah does her best but it wont be enough. The show is finished. Leo really messed up. What a silly man!!
I have come to the conclusion that you were TNT! You made that show! and without you there is no TNT.
Best of luck with DTNS, It would be great if you could get Iyaz on for a weekly slot, either way I will be watching!!
Is the DTNS available to watch live on the Roku or at least to stream afterwards? I liked watching TNT on my TV live when I could and I miss that. Your new show is replacing TNT for me!
+1! I have enjoyed listening to you espouse the virtues of the tech world ever since BOL. Love the new show DTNS. When I heard you were leaving TNT and Molly Wood had mentioned she is no longer at CNET, all I could think about was the pairing of you two doing a new show. How wonderful would it be if Iyaz could also guest host now and then!
TNT=>OUT DTNS=>IN
Thanks for keeping the tech news fire burning with your great delivery and personality. I will make sure to support your endeavors by stopping by your store.
Chronology is interesting. Reminds me of James Burke’s Connections series (http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/james-burke-connections/). It’d be a bit of work, but you should consider a similar series that focuses on computer technologies. Maybe call it “Digital Connections”? 🙂
I was angry after hearing how the events laid out. I liked TNT and it was the best show on TWIT in my opinion. I posted my true feelings on it before in a extremely blunt fashion. However as the initial anger subsided and I changed modes into “let’s give it a chance”, I have to agree with other posts. It is literally unwatchable. Mike may be smart (not that we really know yet, I certainly see no evidence) but he clearly reads, has no charisma whatsoever and does not look comfortable on camera. He’s BORING times 10. A small station like TWIT needs someone to wear all hats apparently. Well I don’t think he’s an “on air” guy. Period. He’s not an entertainer. Trying to get a News Director that is also an On Cam guy is a tall order. When Tom’s contract was not renewed, a better option would have been two people if TWIT couldn’t find one. Doesn’t matter how good the news is, if it is “unlistenable”. It’s not like the tech stories are hard to find. Just go to the tech section on Flipboard and you’ll read the same things on TNT. So you don’t need some deep researcher to decide on the tech news to begin with. You need entertainment value. That’s gone and it’s not coming back with Mike regardless of creating “his style”.
Leo seems to be trying to build a network just like broadcast. He despises being compared to old school approaches, but he’s pocket book is now blocking his brain. He thinks somehow the Network is where the value is. The internet is different, the content is king. He kills content in lieu of trying to build an empire network in the cloud. LOL. He’s built an old school broadcast network that needs advertisers. When the content’s gone, so will the people be and he will not have the ability to demand the marketing dollars. He’s just the chinese cost cutter version of a broadcast network, helping make these networks a commodity. He’s turning into an old, crabby, entitled fool. Everything he used to vocally hate upon is really what’s behind him now. I guess that’s the definition of a hypocrite.
Tom…If you chose to do your own daily news you would own the market yet again. Please hurry up! 😉
Never mind DTNS! NICE!
email sent to tnt this day
Hydraulics in a TV set? Please upgrade the quality of your wild ass guesses.
Tom Merritt is fired because TNT needs an in studio anchor. First show with the new anchor indicates that the new anchor may be on the road a lot. And finally, while I appreciate the money that has been poured into TWIT’s new digs, to say that the anchor must be in the studio is SOOOO 20th century. The show seemed to be working fine to me. Iyaz not allowed to be a live part of Tom’s last show? But that’s your decision. Good luck. Your story doesn’t hold much water to me.
Lastly, and perhaps the only opinion that really matters here, TNT is not the Nightly Business Report. Whether you like it or not, it is, or at least was, part entertainment, not a raw news reporting service. If that is what you want, Fine. You may be throwing out the baby with the bathwater. I, and I suspect some (but maybe not most) others, are not necessarily interested in every tech subject, but are willing to dedicate minutes of our time for a show that is informative, illuminating, and entertaining. I do appreciate the slight shortening. I watched TWIT for a while, but it was just too damn long. Opinions are good. Flippancy is fun. All the techies I know are clearly into humor. TNT appears to fall short in these areas, now more resembling Stovepipe Wells – dry, incredibly and unapologetically dry. There are other choices. My Tivo can download literally dozens of tech shows. You may force me to search through them. I just wonder if you have mistaken a need for a different kind of show for a need to change an award winning show that appeared to this viewer to be working fine.
Does the Emperor of TWIT realize that he is naked in his new clothes?
I couldn’t believe it when I heard that your contract was not being renewed for TNT. I can’t even begin to describe how your opening voice to the show just got me pumped as to what was going on. You were the glue to that show, helping to anchor other great TWIT talents and guests.
I like Mike Elgan, and honestly tried to give the new TNT a chance, but Mike honestly just can’t get it dialed in right. I’m sure he loves the show, but he just can’t cut it. A better guest, than host, in my opinion.
I’m so happy to have discovered to all your new shows recently, and am listening regularly. I hope you either keep them going, or find another network to attach them to that would appreciate them.
You are such a class act dude. Never a bad word to say about anyone. Even when bad things happen to you, you take them in stride and ALWAYS act like a gentleman. I have a lot of tech heroes I look up to, and you’re definitely near the top.
Keep up the good work. I’m donating for sure if it helps keep you going. You’re my NPR for tech news, history, and all that other stuff.
-Abe
Just tried to watch today’s TNT (Tech News Today) and I got as far as Mike “trying” to do an ad for Gazelle, go ahead and watch it. I just couldn’t watch it anymore. It’s not funny, it’s just sad and awkward. Long live Tom Merritt!
Tom, I loved you on TNT and regret that you are not there any more. The new guy, Mike, is terrible. He sounds completed monotoned, uninteresting, and scripted. There is no life in his presentation. You have life, you are a good anchor. I hope you succeed in all that you are doing now.
I’m subscribing to your MP3 Daily Tech News Show, and I always use software to increase the volume setting in the MP3 file. Every time I try to run the process, it fails as the MP3 file is deemed to be non-standard. Please check your routines, and improve the process of production.
Hey Tom, TNT was a awesome show, thanks for all of it, I will follow you wherever you go, (online) :).
Tony
Buffalo NY
Back in Australia, I bought an iPod video and started listening to buzz out loud, my first podcast subscription. It was a great tech news podcast with excellent hosts, Veronica, Molly, and you. The show was super fun. I really enjoyed the discussions you guys made. Consuming tech news was fun.
I moved back to Bangkok and BOL was the podcast I listened when I was driving to work. I really enjoy my ride with BOL by my side. I always reached the office at the end of daily BOL episode. lol Then, you decided to host tech news today on twit. I listened to that TNT podcast once. I didn’t like it. It was too intense and boring. But you and your co hosts made TNT super fun and enjoyable.
I really like video podcast which you invited Molly to TNT studio. Anyway, good luck to the path you choose and hope to listen to your tech news podcast soon.
I thought I likedTech News Today. I learned that what I enjoyed was the Tom Merritt show. I have now switched to DTNS. I also thought all those interesting guests were there because of TWIT. I have learned that they were there because of Tom. From this site it looks as if you are looking for a new gig, but where ever and when ever please keep doing a daily tech podcast.
Another Illini in the wild.
Whoa, no more Frame Rate, NOOOOOO! Good luck on your future projects and while I used to listen to TNT (had to stop as I only listen to podcasts on my 40min ride to work and couldn’t keep up) I got most of my Tom fix on Frame Rate. It’s a sad sad day!!!!! 🙁
Hi Tom,
I live in the UK and just started watching TWIT regularly mid 2013. I particularly enjoyed TNT. I was sad when I heard you were leaving as I liked your style. I am struggling to like Mike Elgin and think they should replace him as he is not the right guy for the job. Knowledgeable yes, but not slick, smooth, fast, and able to deliver um free or error free. He is not a good host. I hope you are going to do a show similar to TNT as I would like to watch it. If you are going to do a show can you put the information on your site about it please.
Thanks
It’s MLK day … is there a CordKillers today?
Congrats on the new show…is great and am liking it a lot…best wishes for success from a fellow Illini in Houston…will be listening!
NEW SHOW.!!!!…I work alone and plug into podcasts while I work…I was just going through my list looking for something to fill the gap left by TNT. You did a great jo, it was a daily listen for me. I will give the new show a try. I also enjoyed Iyaz and the banter back and forth. I will have to check if he is doing any new shows.
Jim
Oregon
After being out of civilisation for nearly a month I come back to a totally different TNT! I was horrified, it was Mike, Sarah and Jason… What?? I was kinda freaking out hoping he was just a stand in, he was very monotonous and not at all a good fit, certainly not a good replacement for Tom at all. As much as Sarah has grow on me, she just couldn’t fill Toms shoes.
I’m afraid I’ve dumped TNT and a few other shows recently. This is sad as I have been listening for many years since the very beginning. The quality of all the shows has just fallen dramatically, it’s dated and stale.
Ahh to relive the Hey-days of Molly and Tom at BOL. That stands as by far the best podcast EVER! I was so devastated when Tom left, the chemistry between those two was sooooo awesome to listen to, I never missed an episode and it truly did make my day driving to and from work smiling and laughing. Nothing has ever come close, not even TNT.
I’m so happy Tom has started his podcast and I’ve already subscribed. I truly wish you the best Tom you have it in you (without the arrogance or disdain of the audience) to really achieve big, you really are the best!!
Brad from Australia.
Please come up to TNT. It’s become a chore to listen to it now. Dull and humorless with less tech news.
Thank goodness I have found you on your new “Daily Tech News Show” podcast. I have come to find that you are the one true professional one I can regularly listen to when it comes to getting my tech news. Sometimes change is for the best and I think it is clearly going to be a positive thing in the long run to get away from that previous “network”. Even their new programming ideas appear stale. Regardless…I was a fan when you were at CNET, and then at TWIT…and now….I’m hoping the STOMP network (aka Starting TOM Productions) can kick some butt. All my Best from Nashville!
DTNS is great!
Excited for all the new possibilities that are awaiting you in the internet-ether-verse. The “Chronology of Tech History” looks good and I will definitely get me some of that. I think that is a great way for you and Scott to hammer out that notch that you and others tried on twit that didn’t catch on.
I won’t question who made what decisions landed you where you are. I enjoyed your Cnet and TWIT work and am sure I will continue to enjoy what you do while still enjoying the few TWIT podcasts I have in the past. Best to you and TWIT.
I see Tech news right now to be an open book where people can land and dive in. There are topics and genres that are going to stick with some and not others. Let TWIT continue being TWIT and you being the wonderful net-broadcaster and author that you are.
Keep on rocking the tech news world!
I am glad I also happen to be an avid Frogpants stream listener. I actually learned you would be leaving TNT from Frogpants shows… not from Twit which is kind of interesting. Loving Current Geek, Chord Killers and DTNS so far!
Now I’ve only got Macbreak Weekly on Twit… I gave the new TNT host a few weeks to warm up to the role. He seems… nice…? But he is way too dry and does not seem passionate at all about his subjects.
(Btw, Scott Johnson is awesome, and hearing him try to play tech journalist on DTNS was amusing to me. Not really his cup o tea, but he makes a good “color commentator” of sorts in that role.)