The Next Chapter

I promised you last time I'd talk about what's next for me, so here's what I've been thinking lately. The end of The Lab did two things (besides killing a pretty heft chunk of my income): it gave me one week a month with nothing to do, and it eliminated my only regular television exposure. Thanks to Amber, and some work she's passing my way, I think I'll be able to mostly replace the income - phew - and I'm sure I can find something to do with the extra time (like make sure all the TWiT shows come out weekly from now on). But what about TV? Our minor experiments in doing video versions of TWiT have convinced me that audio is the more popular medium. TWiT audio gets many times more downloads than video. That makes sense to me, since people have more time to listen to audio than they do to sit down and watch video. But there's something about video that captures people's attention. I'll go one step further, there's something about live video that's very compelling for both viewers and hosts. I've missed live TV ever since TechTV went under four years ago, and I've been looking for some way to get that excitement back. If you've been watching the impromptu live streams of the Tech Guy radio show, you know they're very popular and I have a lot of fun doing them. (Tune in TWiT Live Saturday and Sunday from 2-5p Eastern.) So much fun that I've expanded the live broadcasts to include some of the netcast tapings including TWiT. We run an IRC chat room at irc.dslextreme.com #techguy during the video and the interactivity adds so much on both sides. I've also been watching what Chris Pirillo has been doing on Ustream and Robert Scoble on Qik, and I have come to believe there's significant interest in live streaming video. Towards the end of last year I learned that the downstairs offices in our building would soon be vacant. I've always coveted this space. We're in a quaint old cottage built by a lumber baron at the turn of the century. He paneled the entire downstairs in redwood and it's gorgeous. We don't really need the space - right now TWiT is just Dane and me - but I leased it anyway, three days before Rogers cancelled the show. I wasn't sure what I'd do with the extra space at the time, but my plan now is to turn it into a streaming video studio. Here's a quick video tour of the new TWiT Offices. (Yes that's my Emmy on the mantle - I'm not a complete TV newbie!)

To begin with we're going to stream everything we do at TWiT, including the production of all our shows, live and interactive. To that end we're adding considerable bandwidth: a T1 line and a cable modem to our existing DSL connectivity. We'll Skype over one, stream over another, and reserve the third for surfing, uploads, etc. I've also started furnishing the office with antiques - I don't want this to look like any TV show you've ever seen before - and we're adding lights, cameras, microphones, and computers for video production. We hope everything will be in place and we can begin streaming daily by the end of April. Don't worry - the existing TWiT shows will still be available as audio downloads, but soon you'll be able to watch them being made and interact with them live. Some of the shows may begin to offer video versions, in addition to the existing audio versions. I expect we'll be sending two to four hours of live video out Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday - with five or six hours on the weekends, including the Tech Guy behind the scenes. And in a month or so I plan to expand the Saturday programming to include a live show, tentatively called TWiT Live, which will be our first official video podcast. We're still working out how this will be done, but I'm modeling it on the Tom Green show. I think what he's doing is ground-breaking. Of course it will be entirely tech focused and feature many of the TWiT regulars you already know along with any tech celebrities we can lure to Petaluma with promises of food and wine. I'm not interested in duplicating existing television models - I want to deconstruct TV and get to something more direct, more intimate, and much more two-way. I haven't really looked at the business model for this, but fortunately, between my day jobs, existing TWiT advertising (thank you Audible, Astaro, and FIT!), and your generous donations through TWiT.tv we have the money to get this thing off the ground and, I believe, keep it going indefinitely. As Dvorak has always said, and I believe, a business model will emerge. My goal has never been to build an empire, or even a business. I just want to be able to make a living doing what I love: talking about technology with a community of engaged and intelligent people, and perhaps, along the way, to help people understand how to better use technology in their own lives. So I hope you'll join me in this grand experiment. It's only possible because of the large and active TWiT community. Your feedback and participation is all it takes to keep us going. I'm excited about where TWiT is going and I thank you for your support through all these changes. Here's to the next chapter - I think it's the most exciting yet.

Comments

[Ed Moskowitz]

Is it 2-5pm Eastern or pacific on Saturday and Sunday you do the live radio show?

I wish you the best of luck. I watched regularly on techtv. and briefly with Amber. I'm sorry your tv show never made it back to the US but now with TWIT we'll get to see more of you again. You and Amber make a great team on net at nite. I hope you can do more with her.

[Trucker Tom]

There is definitely a compelling aspect to "live" audio and video and the ability to interact in real time that it offers. The great thing about it is if you can't catch the live version, devices such as Apple TV 2.0, iPod, Zune, etc. make time-shifting the content a snap, thus offering the best of both worlds.

I'm convinced that material generated in a live, interactive environment is generally better and more compelling than something that's been pre-recorded for later distribution.

It's always possible to connect a computer to a TV for live streaming video. If Apple TV also added live video/audio streams it would be closer to becoming a perfect multimedia-surfing device for the living room. Imagine the ability to tune into live interactive programs from around the globe, or simply catch them later in the podcast version.

Leo, I believe you are about to pioneer something very compelling and I wish you the best of luck with it.

[Paul Brown]

Leo,
I can't wait to see what's gonna come out of this studio. I would say that 90% of my media consumption comes from podcasts, and you're mostly responsible for getting me hooked on them. This will be a good breath of fresh air in the podcasting/new media realm. Good luck, and we'll be anxiously watching for your twit live launch!

[JonMagic]

Sounds great! Looking forward to it... I need to get my mac mini to tv setup going soon so I can watch in the living room...

[Hector]

It sounds like the end of The Lab is a blessing in disguise. Looking forward to the future of TWiT!

[SoBeGene]

Hi Leo,

Your innovative ways to introduce a whole new experience will definitely be a worthwhile endeavor. Interactive is the key word these days. People are engaging in live online broadcasts like never before.

That woody traditional style of your new studio will blend the past and present and bring a bright future.
You will prosper with even more recognition as being the guardian angel of our computers.

[JSlo]

Can't wait, Leo. Your podcasts keep me company at work already, so now I'll just fire up the video and watch live!

[theTVaddict]

As with everything you do Leo, I'll be watching with great interest. Best of luck.

[geahaad]

I'm very excited.. can't wait. Seems like every end releases some positive energy.
All the best!

[Ger manley]

Can't wait leo listening here in ireland for two years will contribute even more to you now

[Alex]

Hell yeah, Leo!
I'll be watching!

[K3vin]

This is what this whole medium has been moving towards. Its rare to see people get it, especially someone over the age of 30, but u and dvorak have something most don't, taste.

[Eric Susch]

Wow, this is exciting! I made the decision a few years ago to get out of broadcast TV and try to build something different in New Media. My wife CAT and I have been doing our little knitting show (video podcast) Let's Knit2gether for about two years now. Looks like you're on the cutting edge here with live video. CAT and I both love TWiT. We can't wait to SEE it live!

[Paul]

You can't keep a good man down! If you keep on doing it, we'll keep on enjoying it :)

[Phil]

The new space looks incredible! I love older buildings with character, especially the dark, aged, wide trim. I used to own a house like that.

You should dress up the old radio and use it as a "mascot"!

Love the "signs outside the window" idea -- wish I lived closer, it sounds like that'd be a fun road trip!

Good luck, we'll keep watching and listening!

[Winemaster]

Look forward to seeing more of your live streaming

[Adam Marin]

Leo, I am really excited to hear about your new ideas. I think it will be great. Maybe you could call the new live show "Fireside Geek Chats" since there does appear to be a fireplace in the picture.

[DJ Orta]

So damn sorry to hear about the cancellation (and those problems you had with AT&T connection!) but I'm glad you're putting such a positive spin on this. The new studio is looking great- i half expect you to be smoking a pipe, relaxing as Dvorak gives out yet another "meh" next to the fireplace. A touch of class!

[Mark S.]

Actually, Chris Pirillo's direct live feed URL is:

http://live.pirillo.com/

[michael]

I don't think it's a bad thing that the lab was cancelled.

It opened a door, an opportunity.

Looks like you see it the same way, Leo.

Go grab it!

[David McFarlane]

Greetings from bonnie Scotland!
Love your new place.Please keep up the great work Leo.
I Look forward to your podcasts every week,and hope you keep doing them for a long time to come.
Good luck.

[Donna T.]

I would love live, streaming video! Your new acquisition looks great with lots of potential. (Thank you for taking video for us.) I look forward to your new venture...

[Dean Huber]

Well, you have my listership/viewership no matter what you do. Count me in!

[Ted]

Well done, Leo.

You're really pushing the tv industry, and believe me it needs it. And how much more satisfying karmically and environmentally than working from near home?

Congratulations.

Another guy wanting out of the tv "biz".

(Rogers. What do you expect?)

[John]

Best of luck Leo, Tom Green has done something amazing, and still ended up on tv here in Canada with his non-tv shot on the net, best of luck to you, Rogers sucks anyway