This article has an unclear citation style. The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of citation, footnoting, or external linking. Violates Wikipedia:External links: "Wikipedia articles may include links to web pages outside Wikipedia (external links), but they should not normally be used in the body of an article.". (January 2013)

The TWiT Netcast Network
Owned by	Leo Laporte, TWiT LLC
Country	United States of America
Language	English
Broadcast area	Worldwide, via Internet
Headquarters	140 Keller Street, Petaluma, CA
Website	http://twit.tv
Internet television
Live Webcast	TWiT Live, (Free, available in English)

The TWiT Netcast Network, which is the operating trade name of TWiT LLC, is a podcast (although TWiT uses the term netcast) network run by technology broadcaster and author Leo Laporte. The network began operation in April 2005 with the launch of This Week in Tech. Security Now was the second podcast on the network, debuting in August of that year. Currently, the network hosts nineteen podcasts and several live streaming shows, covering various topics including Apple, Microsoft, Google, computer security, social networking and current technology news.

TWiT founder and owner Leo Laporte, in an October 2009 speech, stated that it grosses revenues of $1.5 million per year, while costs are around $350,000.^[1] Later on October 24, 2009, Leo said during the TWiG (This Week in Google) show that revenues for the year would be closer to $2.5 million. Originally, the network started solely from his own funding as well as setting up a contribution system similar to the public radio model (but not tax-deductible). As the network has grown, a market for advertising in podcasts also developed, and most of the current shows carry advertising. On December 12, 2009, a message on the network's website stated that Leo was going to modify the company's funding: advertising would be used to run the company, and any contributions would go solely for his salary. However, this caused such a sudden increase in donations that he has unofficially stated he would limit how much he takes as income, and save the rest in a fund for future projects, such as a new studio.^{[citation needed]}

TWiT gets its name from its first and flagship podcast, the popular This Week in Tech. The logo design originated from a traditional logic gate symbol of an "AND gate" turned on its side.

	"TWiT Network Bumper" Bumper played at the beginning of every netcast on the TWiT Network
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

History [edit]

The TWiT network was started by Leo Laporte in April 2005 after he posted a recording to his website, Leoville.com,^[2] of him and other friends from TechTV talking about technology. Within days, the recording had been downloaded by thousands of people worldwide, and Leo started TWiT. As of 2012, the network has grown to over twenty five shows, and now has millions of viewers from all over the world. TWiT.tv employs over 17 people in full and part-time positions.

Tom Merritt joined the staff of TWiT LLC on June 1, 2010. He currently broadcasts a 30–40 minute show, Tech News Today every weekday.^[3]

On July 24, 2011, the network moved from their former building, the "TWiT Cottage", two blocks north, which had been in use since 2004, to a larger building known as the "TWiT Brick House". The new building cost US$1.2 million.^[4]

TWiT.tv grossed US$3.75 million in revenue in 2011^[5] and in a 2012 Reddit posting Leo commented that revenue is approaching $4 million.^[6]

At the 2013 New Media Expo, Leo quoted revenue history for TWiT. 2005 (donations), 100K$; 2006 (ads), 300K$; 2007, 750K$; 2008, 1M$; 2009, 3M$; 2010, 4.5M$; 2011, 5M$; 2012, 5.75M$; 2013 (projected), 7M$.

TWiT Live [edit]

Starting on April 30, 2008 Leo Laporte began broadcasting live video from his studio in Petaluma, CA at live.TWiT.tv . The format at times is free flowing, however it mostly serves as a live video feed of TWiT Network podcast creation. Guests usually appear via Skype for their respective podcasts, occasionally appearing via telephone when the Skype network has been down. Guests may also appear live in the studio if they are in the area. Production was handled by Leo himself using a NewTek Tricaster Broadcast in the old TWiT Cottage studios, but it is now handled by various specialist staff using a Tricaster 850 Extreme streaming to flash video sites BitGravity, Ustream.tv and Justin.tv for the main TWiT Live page. Viewers can interact with the show through either Ustream and Justin.tv's chat rooms or through an IRC chat room. There is an approximate time delay of 10 seconds on the live stream.

TWiT Live has been used to air live coverage of large tech events. Leo produced live coverage of the 2009 Apple WWDC complete with a live pirate video stream from the auditorium floor. The current record for coverage on TWiT Live is the "24 Hours of the iPhone" event in July 2008, tracking the launch of the iPhone 3G around the globe as it went on sale in every timezone at 8am local. Leo stayed on air for the full 24 hours with only a few quick breaks. Calls were taken from people in line around the world, TWiT regulars, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Leo gave away 10 iPhone 3Gs during the broadcast complete with free audiobooks from Audible.com.

In January 2010, Leo Laporte and the TWiT team covered Consumer Electronics Show live from a stage in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. They covered two parties, Digital Experience Press Event and ShowStoppers Press Event live though an in-house built wireless broadcasting rig using a tablet computer which connected a camera and two microphones together and was streamed though EVDO and 3G cards. The broadcasting rig was made by TWiT's former Vice President of Engineering, Colleen Kelly. The trip to Consumer Electronics Show was sponsored by Ford Sync, Audible.com. Audio and Video podcasts were made and published on iTunes and on the TWiT website. It was the first time in a six-year gap that Leo Laporte visited Consumer Electronics Show after the take over of TechTV. Laporte also announced that he was hopefully going to be back at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2011 which he did.

In May 2010, Leo announced that TWiT would do more live coverage of major events and breaking news. Since then, they have covered events such as Google I/O, WWDC, E3, Maker Faire, Dragon Con, South By Southwest, Macworld Expo, and the Consumer Electronics Show. They have also covered breaking news such as Eric Schmidt stepping down as CEO of Google, Hewlett Packard's acquisition of Palm, Inc, Steve Jobs' resignation and death, the verdict in the US portion of the Apple vs. Samsung case, and various press conferences and keynotes from companies such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook.

Current netcasts [edit]

Note: All Times are in Pacific Time.

Awards [edit]

This Week in Tech was the recipient of the 2005, 2008, and 2010 People's Choice Podcast Awards Technology category. Tech News Today was the recipient of the 2012 International Academy of Web Television award for Best News Web Series. This Week in Computer Hardware, Home Theater Geeks, NSFW, This Week in Tech, MacBreak Weekly, TWiT Live Specials, iPad Today, Tech News Today, The Tech Guy, This Week in Google, and Windows Weekly were named Best of 2010 in Podcasts by iTunes Rewind.^[7] In 2011, This Week in Tech was named to Best Technology Podcast and TWiT Photo was named to Best New Technology Podcast by iTunes Rewind.^[8]

The TWiT studio [edit]

The TWiT cottage was the original studio where all of the TWiT shows were recorded and produced. The TWiT cottage was located at 8 Keller Street, Petaluma, California. The TWiT cottage accepted visitors from around 11 AM until 4 PM Pacific time, except for Mondays and Fridays, when they are closed to visitors.

The official move took place at 2 PM PDT on July 24, 2011. Dubbed, the TWiT Brick House, the name was conceived during a Daily Giz Wiz episode with Dick DeBartolo. This name derives from the fundraising bricks sold to defray part of the cost of building the new studio. The event garnered plenty of attention, and was live streamed via LiveU over 3G. CEO of TWiT, Lisa Kentzell took care of most of the arrangements. The 10,000-square-foot (930 m²) studio itself is only two blocks away from the original studio, the TWiT cottage, at 140 Keller Street, Petaluma, California.^[9] The Brick House studio was designed by Roger C. Ambrose, and the building itself is the former home of BiAS Sound, as well as serving as a drug store, and was originally built as a furniture factory.

TWiT advertisers [edit]

Currently, there are eight advertisers on the TWiT network. These include AOL Music and Spinner.com, which provide bandwidth for the network's audio podcast downloads. Cachefly currently provides bandwidth for the delivery of the network's video podcast downloads. Winamp has also started to provide bandwidth for select shows. Advertisers during TWiT shows include Citrix, Audible.com, Drobo, Ford, Mailroute, Squarespace, Carbonite, Tucows's Hover, Sling Media, Stamps.com, ESET, Pond5, and American Express . Past sponsors of the TWiT network include Dell, Visa, Google, and Astaro.

Former TWiT Network netcasts [edit]

TummelVision

With Heather Gold, Deb Schultz & Kevin Marks. TummelVision promises to "explore the art of social engagement in culture, business and technology in the context of the social web, the Internet and the networked age." The show's website is TummelVision.tv.

Jumping Monkeys

Jumping Monkeys was a netcast that focused on parenting in the digital age with Megan Morrone and Leo. Each episode featured an interview with someone from the world of technology who is also a parent. The hosts discussed interesting web sites from the three categories "spend, save, give" and read listener feedback. The show was 'on hiatus' for a number of months until Morrone confirmed on her blog that she would not return to the show.

Inside the Net

Inside the Net was a weekly netcast with Amber MacArthur covering new and interesting aspects of the Internet. It has been superseded by net@nite (now The Social Hour) in the fall of 2006.

The Laporte Report

A feed of appearances by Laporte on other radio shows, such as Bill Handel on KFI and John Donabie on CFRB.

iLifeZone

iLifeZone focuses on the Apple iLife suite and other Mac similar applications. The podcast moved to the podcast network Podango before ceasing production.

TWiT Fit

A Fitness show in which personal trainer, Al Scardino showed geeks some fitness techniques which can be used behind the desk. Aired Thursday at 1pm PT (USA) on TWiT Live, but it has been discontinued.

This WEEK in FUN

Hosted by Sarah Lane and Martin Sargent, TWiF discusses funny news stories from the world of technology, as well as within mainstream media. Currently the podcast is available in audio form, but there are plans to release it as a video podcast. Host Sarah Lane announced on her blog that it would be going on hiatus for an indefinite amount of time.^[10]

Roz Rows The Pacific

Interviews with rower Roz Savage's voyage as the first woman to row solo across the Pacific Ocean. It ended after she landed in Madang, Papua New Guinea, finishing her voyage.

Maxwell's House

An in-depth discussion with the former Lab with Leo Laporte segment host Ray Maxwell about how science applies to technology, with common subjects including aviation, color science, photography and how current and former technologies work. On June 24, 2010 it was announced that Maxwell's House 78 would be the final episode^[11] and had been canceled due to lack of advertising.

Current Geek Weekly

A show with TechTV alumnus Tom Merritt, former executive editor of CNET, and Scott Johnson at Frog Pants Studios, LLC, the show joined the TWiT Live network as a weekly show in addition to thrice-weekly short format show. The show discusses five to six geeky and nerdy topics of the week from video games, science and math. Airs Friday at 6pm PT on TWiT Live, and is released in audio form at currentgeek.com. It ended on January 14, 2011 as Scott and Tom decided to focus more on the Daily episodes instead, later morphing into segments on The Morning Stream.

Munchcast

A food focused netcast hosted by San Francisco radio personality Cammy Blackstone and Leo Laporte. Returned from hiatus because it won the 2009 People's Choice Podcast Award Food and Drink category. It is currently on hiatus due to scheduling issues.

The Gillmor Gang

The Gillmor Gang was more focused on technology reviews. TWiT ceased carrying the show when Mike Arrington, during the June 6, 2009 show, accused Leo of compromised journalistic integrity for receiving a Palm Pre 5 day review unit.

FourCast

A show with TechTV alumnus Tom Merritt, former executive editor of CNET, and Scott Johnson at Frog Pants Studios, LLC, that ran from Aug 30, 2010 to June 11, 2012. Tom and Scott would bring in two guests each week to discuss the future. Declining viewership and the hosts desire to focus on new projects lead to the show's cancelation.

Futures in Biotech

Looked at emerging biotechnology and interviews prolific members of the field. It was hosted by Marc Pelletier. It was cancelled in July 2012 due to low viewership and Pelletier's busy schedule.

Dr. Kiki's Science Hour

a show with Kirsten Sanford about assorted science topics. The initial episode was aired on April 30, 2009. It was cancelled in June 2012 due to low viewership.

TWiT Photo

A podcast about photography, hosted by Leo Laporte and Catherine Hall (formerly Lisa Bettany). It was cancelled in June 2012 due to lack of advertising.

This Week in Radio Tech

Hosted by Kirk Harnack and regular guests Chris Tobin of CBS Radio, Chris Tarr of Entercom, and Tom Ray of Buckley Broadcasting, the show discussed the world of radio technology. It was cancelled in June 2012 due to low viewership.

Green Tech Today

Debuted August 4, 2010, Sarah Lane and Kirsten Sanford discuss green and environmentally friendly technology. Unlike other TWiT shows, this podcast was filmed outside the TWiT cottage and uses pre-recorded segments. It was retired in 2011.

Game On!

Veronica Belmont and Brian Brushwood discuss and Review Video Games, with a LAN party (Named Shut Up And Play, and hosted by Glenn Rubenstein) thereafter. It was cancelled after 13 episodes due to high production costs.

Late Night Tech

Previously titled Tech Talkback, Late Night Tech consisted of Erik Lanigan taking viewer calls on the week in technology. In November 2011, Erik Left TWiT on sour terms due to a misunderstanding between him and Leo Laporte, causing the show to cease. Not appearing on the TWiT website, archives are available on YouTube.

Abby's Road

Hosted by Abby Laporte (Leo's daughter), Abby's Road was about teen issues and college, geared toward teens, parents, and educators. It was cancelled in 2012 after Abby moved to college in New York.

Former TWiT Live shows [edit]

Three (formerly four) regularly recorded shows aired on TWiT Live, all externally produced shows that are released on their respective websites. These shows ceased recording on TWiT in July 2012, due to production costs on TWiT's end.

PC Perspective Podcast

A show with the staff of PC Perspective talking about hardware reviews, news and prizes. Airs Wednesdays at 7pm PT (USA) on TWiT Live, and is released in audio form at PC Perspective.

This Week in Science

Kirsten Sanford's Weekly Radio show on KDVS 90.3 FM.

Trey's Variety Hour

Brought together fun and clever people from all over the world to talk about photography, art, the future, and the dynamic nature of the new culture we are all building together.

East Meets West

A show with TechTV alumni Tom Merritt, former executive editor of CNET, and Roger Chang, senior producer at Revision3, the show joined the TWiT Live network with show 172. The show discusses various topics such as TV, sports, technology, and politics. Live recording ended on TWiT in 2011 due to Tom's desire to not have the show be a weekly scheduled occurrence.

Pixel Corps ventures [edit]

The following podcasts were joint promotional ventures with Pixel Corps. They were co-listed on both TWiT.tv and the PixelCorps.tv websites, now only available on the PixelCorps website.

Inside the Black Box

Visual effects focused. Now hosted by Pixel Corps.

The VFX Show

Visual effects tips and tricks. Now hosted by Pixel Corps.

This Week in Media

A show focused on analyzing media and the change to New Media. Now hosted by Pixel Corps.

MacBreak

Mac focused video show and filmed in 540p. The podcast is now hosted by Pixel Corps. This is the brother of MacBreak Weekly on the TWiT network.

See also [edit]

• This Week in Tech

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• TWiT Homepage
• TWiT Live
• TWiT IRC Chat
• TWiT Forums