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

[Thomas]

In regards to the planned Saturday TWiT Live video show, Thierry Ardisson has been doing something similar (although not tech related) in France since 2003. The show is called "93 Faubourg Saint-Honoré" (which is his address), and airs on Paris Première. Each episode is a dinner party at his house, with famous guests from all areas of French society, that is filmed and then aired as a talkshow. They just sit around, eating, drinking and chatting.

There are lots of clips from this show on Daily Motion:
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/93%2BFaubourg%2BSaint-Honor%25C3%25A9

Who knows, it might give you some ideas about how to go about putting together your show...

[Pamela]

If you're curious about other turn of the century lumber baron's houses ( for decorating ideas), look here: http://www.muskegonmuseum.org/hackley_tour.asp

Hackley & Hume were Lumber partners, they have beautiful houses in Muekegon, Michigan, that are still standing today and are available for touring. If you are looking for a decorating reference, this is a pretty good one. You can probably search Flickr for more photos of these houses.. The foyer of the Hackley house is breath-taking.

Leo, there isn't really anyone else on the web, or the TV talking about Tech like you do. I love the TWIT network, and I can't wait for what's next. Thanks for making a network that geeks like me can enjoy and learn about all things technology.

[Tony Fendall]

You space looks fantastic, and I'm really excited by your planned innovations.

My only concern is that some of us are outside the US, and on slower internet connections. I hope I don't get left out of the party too much :)

[Rick DeAngelo]

Leo, I love this idea! To "deconstruct TV" is such a great thing. I can't wait for this. I think this is the way of the future.

What about getting this on the TiVo downloads?

All the best!

- Rick

[Rod Harris]

Love all the stuff you do Leo. My wife and I loved call for help, and I listen to most of your podcast from Itunes as I drive to work. As I am down in Aust, getting your live stream may be a tad hard, but iam sure as hell will download what ever I can, of your future shows.
Have a good trip In Tassie in april, make sure you have a steak at the old ball and chain resturant in Hobart when you get there.

[gerald f. miller]

Late for as usual but WOW!

What do they say,"From defeat,another chance". I just made that up but it looks like a great opportunity direct from Leoville.

Leo as long as I have a job you have my backing.

With that new space I suggest a pipe,slippers and a sweater and a cozy cup of tea.
Onward and upward!
ger

[WirelessGuru]

I like many don't have the time to watch you live, but could occasionally watch you on-demand - an after-the-fact vidcast. An audio podcast of each show would even be more convenient as I always have time to listen while driving.

Is there really several hours worth of technology content you could come up with each day?

I would personally like to listen/optionally watch a daily 30-minute tech news round-up combined with commentary by yourself and other TWiT hosts and guests - similar to Buzz Out Loud.

Off to making a contribution to your new endeavors... Keep up the good work.

[Trevor]

Sorry about the Lab Leo. I for one watched every show in Australia and was devastated when it was stopped. I will be following what I can on the web, maybe not the live streams time differences do get in the way, but keep the netcasts coming. Listened to many on my runs, working in the camera van etc.

[Gene Moore]

Leo, I've always enjoyed listening and watching your shows since the old ZDTV. I couldn't help but notice I couldn't see anyone else ask this, so I will (since it seems obvious to me). Have you considered the possibility of a partnership of TWiT.tv and revision3. This would seem to me to be a win-win (I so hate to use that phrase...) They could certainly use your screen presence, sense of humor and your experience. Anyway, just a thought....

[David J Dean]

London Calling!!

Good Luck Leo - can't wait for twit live!

...but get the show on the road i say!!

Leo's World Tour!

Go out and meet your Twit army!!

[David J Dean]

Sorry - forgot to add..

What about Stephen Fry as your first guest???

[ulric]

Loved the video.
I've just worried a bit for the wear of the space if you've got a lot people coming over , cables of the floor, equipment, etc. :)
In fact the first thing I thought about when you mentioned people standing out the window was, "no, the grass!" :)

[Kekoa]

Do it, Leo! We're all really looking forward to this.

I just twittered this post. I'm really excited about this. Perhaps it was all building up to this all along.

And Jim Hassinger has a good point, it's going to be a challenge to light that place. In fact, Jim really seems to know his stuff, why isn't he linking to his site? A man so knowledgeable should share his knowledge on a webness of some kind.

But, I'm sure with Alex's help, you'll be able to tweak the light so it looks good. This is gonna be great!

[Chad Busk]

What a great environment to to launch your new business venture! I'm very impressed and look forward to tuning in as soon as you kick it off. I always wanted a law office like your office. Ah, twas not to be. Perhaps you can throw out a few legal terms at times in keeping with the atmosphere of your studio that certainly lends itself to deep thoughts on Geekdom and everything related thereto! Thanks and Best of Luck!

[Cappy the Cat]

Congrads on the new place will we see you come out in a red smoking jacket and the the Masterpeice theatre theme music. You should Leo this would be allot of fun. Actually Leo your the only fun techy I've heard everyone who I have met in my 28 years in tech are a bit stuffy. Like when I make a joke to a techy they try to dechiper the joke. I still say I should have been a plumber!! hahaha! have fun down in Australia, and when you go head to Darling harbour if you get lonely for americian things because thats the tourest place in sydney.

[Dane Golden]

What have I got myself into?

Just kidding. I'm of course looking forward to it as well.

[Matthew Krogue]

I can't wait for this I actually canceled my cable tv a few months ago as in my opinion there is really no point anymore with so many of my favorite tech personalities moving to video shows on the internet. Revision 3 has tided me over for a long time but Leo this is exactly what I've been waiting for. I know this is going to go great and look forward to continue to support your network.

[Dan Sandor]

Maybe with some of your newly found "free" time you would consider using that velvety voice of yours to do VOICEOVERS!

If you are interested, we would like to offer you representation in our markets, which is Canada and primarily the Toronto area.

Visit www.voxtalent.com to learn about us; VOX TALENT - Canada's Non Union Voiceover Talent Agency and/or send me an email to info@voxtalent.com or call 416.410.4700 / 877.410.4700.

All the best Leo, hope to "HEAR" from you soon!

Dan Sandor
Voice Agent
VOX TALENT INC
Canada's Non Union Voiceover Agency

[Bill Janis]

Good luck Leo. This is a great situation you have going. Wish you were HQ's in Seattle. (:

[David Kaff]

Wow! Sounds great. I'm looking forward to it Leo.

[Joe]

Well, you've got my donation. I know it might sound silly, but hearing you thank your donating viewers at the beginning of every podcast really made me decide it was a good idea. Good luck.

[Alessandro D.]

I am here today because of an idea I had, of course, I watched all the episodes of The Screen Savers and even before that, I used to watch ZDtv, the precursor of TechTV, once TechTV became G4 a radical change took place, the channel became worthless, I love everything related to technology and especially, computer technology, but I hate games, thus; my comment about G4 and I suspect I'm not alone.

Now the idea I had, I am planning to contact CNN in order to suggest a segment where all the millions of people interested on computer technology could find at least one hour a day of entertainment related to something now most of the people (at least in the U.S.) have, computers.
Besides, since computer technology changes regularly (in hardware & software), you would never be lacking of any interesting stuff .
To begin, they could introduce two hours of this idea on saturdays.
CNN must understand that to talk about the same thing for many hours a day gets very monotonous, usually none watches CNN all day and it is because of this repetitious scheme, I have my choice of daily CNN watching, among those is one in which Erika Hill appears, Anderson Cooper 360, does the name Erika Hill sound familiar? Does it? Uh? It does? :o
I know. :)

I hope they consider this idea at CNN, and I hope you accept the job Leo, you will, yes?

[John S.]

Finally, video!! I used to watch the video you did of twit in the beginning. I for one think it's all about the video. Do me a favor if this thing works, grab all the other guys and make em' all do their shows on your network. It drives me crazy that all you old tech tv guys are spread out over the network. I just want one dominant tech tv station where I can go and find all the shows I want to see. I don't like jumping around to different sites. I know it isn't hard to do so but it bothers me. It also bothers me that you've got all you guys on different sites doing similar shows. How many tech discussion and review programs can you have? One of you guys needs to bring it all together. Anyway, good luck.. I hope it works out.

[Matthew Carriere]

Good idea, but I have to say it... why not call Revision3?

[RobertD]

Good luck on your new endeavor Leo!
Although I am your long time listener I don't think that I will be watching much of your netcasts. I listen to your netcasts because of information I can get from them. So if you want to tempt me into watching your netcasts you must provide additional information that can't be provided by audio, like Steve Gibson's graphs for example.