
WRAL TechWire turns 20 this year! Filling a niche as the only technology-specific news publication in the Triangle, TechWire continues to hone its role as the first source for the rise, fall, boom and bust cycles of the local tech scene.
WRAL TechWire began as Local Tech Wire, based in Charlotte, in 2002. Capitol Broadcasting Company acquired the online publication in December 2005, through the division then known as CBC New Media Group which was led by now-company President & COO Jimmy Goodmon. The site re-launched branded as WRAL TechWire with Rick Smith as managing editor.
I've been working with TechWire since several months before official launch in January 2002, said Smith, now WRAL Digital Business & Technology Manager. In fact, when Chris [WRAL Digital Vice President Chris Weatherly] asked me recently at a team meeting how long I had worked at CBC I said B.C.' Well maybe not that long. A before Iphone' might make more sense to people today.
TechWire will celebrate its 20th anniversary and record growth at a private event at WRAL today, providing time to pause and recognize the hard work that has gone into the evolution of the site.
TechWire has seen tremendous growth in audience over the last two decades, said Corp Vice President of Special Projects John Conway, who for years ran WRAL.com, eventually stepping up to General Manager of CBC New Media and then when the division rebranded as WRAL Digital, became Vice President. Twice in recent months the site has generated more than 1 million page views. It also been an important catalyst and component of digital revenue growth. TechWire has closely covered the expansion of the Triangle tech scene and how technology also is driving economic development in many of our state's communities.
The Development of a Local Tech News Leader
Smith shared more about the history of WRAL TechWire:
Allan Maurer, who died recently, introduced me to entrepreneurs in Charlotte who were interested in launching an email newsletter focusing on startups in North Carolina. They hired me to build a team of writers and launch it in early 2002 despite the dot com bubble bursting and the terrorist attacks on 9-11-2001.
I miss Allan Maurer dearly. TechWire's success is part of a talented writer's legacy.
We launched behind a paywall something still rare at the time. We dropped that due to lack of success but kept the site and newsletter going despite very tough economic times.
Allan joined me as co-founder as did six free-lance writers, including former CBC editor/reporter Matt Burns.
In the 20 years since we launched, we have that I recall, anyway, and I am getting old not missed a business day with at least some news.
Our newsletter was among the early ones in what now is a strategic part of most news sites. In fact, coverage of our launch in The News & Observer focused on our delivery of news to your desktop.
Over time we expanded into a full-fledged website.
Smith had a history with Capitol Broadcasting previous to TechWire.
I had worked with CBC before, in 1993-1995, to start Interpath, an internet service provider, he said. So I knew Jim Goodmon (and Jimmy) already. I saw Jim at North Hills in the spring of 2005, and he told me they were thinking about expanding content at WRAL.com. That led to a discussion with Jimmy and John Conway later that summer. By the end of the year Jimmy made the decision to acquire Local Tech Wire and to hire me as editor for a new CBC operation.
The site quickly gained traction, breaking news on the tech sector.
Digital audiences flocked to TechWire's coverage of major economic development announcements from Amazon, Apple and Google, said Conway. They also sought out our coverage on start-ups and their funding.
For two decades, WRAL TechWire has been breaking the latest news on tech companies and startups in the Triangle and beyond.
TechWire is an important part of the CBC's portfolio of digital properties given the importance of the tech sector to the Triangle's and North Carolina's growth and vibrance, said Conway.
Adaptation and Open to Change
Part of the site's longevity is due to the willingness to embrace change and try new things.
TechWire implemented a pay wall but that was dropped four years ago as we more closely integrated with WRAL.com and WRAL TV, Smith explained. WRAL Digital Director of Strategic Business Development James Amato believed in the TW mission and met a fund-raising target set by John Conway in order to remove the paywall. His efforts and that of his team have paid off handsomely both in terms of readership and revenues.
Former CBC'er Jake Seaton and others on the team moved TechWire to a new website based on WordPress technology.
All these changes have been key to TW's survival and growth, said Smith.
Smith appreciates the insight of his CBC colleagues in shaping TechWire.
Were it not for the vision of James Amato and John Conway the TW today would be much different if it were still alive, said Smith. To them I will be forever grateful. Of course, Jimmy made the decision to LTW. I doubt LTW would have survived much longer without his decision to hire me and buy it. Why did he? Well perhaps our results over the past 4 years have justified the purchase but not necessarily my hiring. I can be quite a pain!
The past year has seen the adaptations and adjustments reap rewards.
2022 was exceptional more than 8 million page views; twice in a month (Sept and Dec) we achieved more than 1 million page views for the first time, said Smith. I've only had two reporters on payroll (not freelance) in those 20 years. Jason Parker and, preceding him, Chantal Allam (now at the N&O) were crucial to this growth.
Smith also credits working more closely with WRAL Digital Director of Content Jodi G
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
22/04/2026
Solid State Logic is advancing its System T platform with a stronger focus on IP...
22/04/2026
From immersive audio to live streaming, Dolby Laboratories is focused on the fut...
22/04/2026
Shallow depth-of-field cameras have taken the industry by storm. Its debut a han...
22/04/2026
Riedel Communications (Booth C4908) announced that Eastern Kentucky University (...
22/04/2026
The NAB Show is in full swing, and the SVG and SVG Europe editorial teams are chasing down the hottest stories from all over the Las Vegas Convention Center. He...
22/04/2026
Blackmagic Design has announced the URSA Cine 12K LF 100G, a new model in the URSA Cine family adding 100G Ethernet for SMPTE 2110 live production output up to ...
22/04/2026
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, NEP is leaning into hybrid production with the...
22/04/2026
NEP VP, Platform Dan Murphy sits down at the 2026 NAB Show to unpack what NEP P...
22/04/2026
Spotify and the New York Liberty are teaming up to give music and basketball fan...
22/04/2026
New 20-minute documentary explores iconic design The Focusrite Room in Mesa, Arizona, where John Aquilino hosts the Studio Console 005.
In 2025, Focusrite co...
22/04/2026
Offers compact wireless solution for pedalboards
Taiwanese audio brand Cloudvocal have announced the availability of a new pedalboard-friendly wireless syst...
22/04/2026
Latest hybrid sampling/synthesis instrument arrives
Arturia's Augmented series offerings rely on a mixture of sampling and synthesis, allowing users to ...
22/04/2026
Combines three distinct analogue EQ emulations
The latest addition to Acustica Audio's ever-expanding collection of analogue-emulation plug-ins combines...
22/04/2026
Final instalment in vintage-inspired instrument series
Analog Empire: Bass & Lead marks the final instalment in Melda Production's vintage hardware-insp...
22/04/2026
Fuzz pedal joins all-analogue Series A line
Given that Strymons reputation was built on unapologetically digital pedals, it was a little surprising to see t...
22/04/2026
SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge
22 April, 2026
Media releases
National broadcaster also releases its second annual...
22/04/2026
Why Low Band Electronic Warfare Matters...
22/04/2026
The nation unites around football team's World Cup dream
Warsaw, Poland, 20.04.26: Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data, and media intell...
22/04/2026
Warsaw, Poland, 22.04.26: Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data...
22/04/2026
New market intelligence offering gives businesses a clearer view of local consum...
22/04/2026
Glookast Unveils New UX, YouTube and Social Media Connectors, Premiere Panel, Ci...
22/04/2026
Lightcraft Technology to Preview Spark Story at NAB 2026 with Interactive Previs...
22/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/04/2026
22 Apr 2026
VEON's Banglalink to Bring Starlink Mobile to Customers in Bangladesh Bangladesh becomes the third market where VEON and Starlink Mobile partne...
22/04/2026
U have unveiled exclusive first-look images for their six-part police thriller Hit Point, starring Nick Blood (Day of the Jackal) and BAFTA nominee Saffron Hock...
22/04/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
22/04/2026
Wednesday 22 April 2026
Sky announces fifth year of WNT Fund with 30,000 bursa...
22/04/2026
Back to All News
This Earth Day, Discover the Sustainable Productions Behind Our Films and Series
Emma Stewart, Ph.D.
Netflix Sustainability Officer
Enterta...
22/04/2026
The move from Retail Media to Commerce Media is about broadening the scope of th...
22/04/2026
April 22 2026, 07:00 (PDT) Dolby and BMW Bring Dolby Atmos to the BMW 7 Series,...
22/04/2026
RT Documentary On One 7-part series breaks US market for first time
RT Programme Sales has announced its first deal with a US distribution partner for its 7-...
22/04/2026
NVIDIA and Google Cloud have collaborated for more than a decade, co engineering a full stack AI platform that spans every technology layer - from performance o...
21/04/2026
Cloud-based production isnt going anywhere, and BitFire is doubling down by prov...
21/04/2026
The topic of artificial intelligence has a stranglehold on the sports-video-prod...
21/04/2026
5G is still a hot topic in live event production, and this workflow continues to...
21/04/2026
At the 2026 NAB Show, Ed McGivern, GM and President of Appear US, discusses the ...
21/04/2026
Studio Network Solutions (SNS) has announced an on-premise AI suite designed for...
21/04/2026
Suite Studios has integrated its file-streaming technology into the newly announced Frame.io Drive, a desktop application from Adobe company Frame.io. The colla...
21/04/2026
Net Insight has integrated InSync Technology's FrameFormer into the Nimbra E...