Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

WRAL TechWire Marks 20th Anniversary

26/01/2023

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
LINK: https://capitolbroadcasting.com/2023/01/26/wral-techwire-marks-20th-an...
See more stories from cbc

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 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 Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

02/04/2026

HBO and NFL Films Announce Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks, Debuting August 11

HBO and NFL Films have announced Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Sea...

02/04/2026

NAB 2026: Haivision Unveils Makito ONE Video Transport Platform

Haivision has announced the Makito ONE, a single-blade video encoding and decoding platform, at NAB Show 2026. The platform combines dual-channel video encoding...

02/04/2026

NAB 2026: Telestream Introduces UP.Lens Cloud-Based Multiviewer and Monitoring Service

Telestream has introduced UP.Lens, a cloud-based multiviewer and monitoring serv...

02/04/2026

NAB 2026: MRMC to Showcase Robotic Camera Technology and Mark 60th Anniversary

Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC) will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth C5220, April 19-22, Las Vegas Convention Center), marking the company's 60th anniver...

02/04/2026

NAB 2026: Net Insight Introduces Programmable Trust Boundaries for Live Media Interconnection

Net Insight has introduced programmable Trust Boundaries, a feature integrated i...

02/04/2026

NAB 2026: Bitmovin Adds SGAI Support to Playback Products

Bitmovin has announced support for SGAI (Server-Guided Ad Insertion) in its playback products, using HLS interstitials. SGAI combines elements of client-side an...

02/04/2026

Binghamton University Athletics Adds Riedel SimplyLive RiMotion R12 for Student-Run Productions

Riedel Communications' SimplyLive RiMotion R12 replay system is supporting B...

02/04/2026

NAB 2026: LTN and Ateme Announce Integration of Video Processing with IP Transport

LTN, a managed IP video transport company, and Ateme, a video compression and de...

02/04/2026

TDF Expands Channel Capacity on Terrestrial Broadcast Network with Harmonic

Harmonic has announced that TDF, a broadcast infrastructure operator in France, has deployed Harmonic's XOS Advanced Media Processor and ProStream X Video S...

02/04/2026

United Rugby Championship Reports First-Year Results with Eluvio Streaming Platform

Eluvio and the United Rugby Championship (URC) have announced first-year results...

02/04/2026

Kansas City Current and Scripps Sports Announce ION as Broadcast Home of 2026 Teal Rising Cup

The Kansas City Current and Scripps Sports have announced that ION will broadcas...

02/04/2026

ESPN Announces Courtside Alt-Cast for Women's Final Four

ESPN will debut Courtside at the Women's Final Four Presented by AT&T, an alt-cast airing Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and Sunday, A...

02/04/2026

PAMA and Shure Accept Applications for 6th Annual Mark Brunner Professional Audio Scholarship

The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) and Shure Incorporated are ...

02/04/2026

ESPN's MegaCast Coverage of 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four Begins Friday, April 3 in Phoenix

ESPN's MegaCast Coverage of 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four Begins Friday, ...

02/04/2026

DAZN Launches Playmakers Creator Program

DAZN has announced the launch of DAZN Playmakers, a global influencer program designed to build a network of sports content creators. The programme will give cr...

02/04/2026

NFL Network Unveils New Production Ops Leadership Structure as ESPN Takes Over

Tony Cole, Jessica Lee shift into new roles reporting to ESPN SVP/Content Operations Chris Calcinari....

02/04/2026

TNT Sports and CBS Sports to Reunite Michigan's Iconic Fab Five for Special NCAA Men's Final Four Altcast on truTV & HBO Max

Michigan's Fab Five will reunite for an alternate presentation of the Mich...

02/04/2026

Coming of Age: ESPN and NHL's Inside Out Classic Marks Another Step Forward for the Animated Alternative Broadcast

Real-time tracking, virtual production, and Pixar storytelling converge for Apri...

02/04/2026

Streaming Around the Moon: NASA+ Goes Live From Historic Artemis II Mission

NASA's long-awaited Artemis II mission has launched four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon, marking the first manned launch toward the moon sin...

02/04/2026

Release Rundown: What to Watch in April, From Bunnylovr to Omaha

(L-R) Molly Belle Wright, Wyatt Solis, and John Magaro appear in Omaha by Cole Webley, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo courte...

02/04/2026

VEMIA Auction incoming

4 - 11 April 2026 VEMIA's latest gear auction is just around the corner, and there's already a wealth of sought-after instruments and studio gear li...

02/04/2026

Universal Audio's Voice Of God now native

Little Labs emulation now available to all The latest Universal Audio plug-in to become available outside of the company's DSP-powered UAD2 platform has...

02/04/2026

SBS Welcomes Back Cup Fever! For The Biggest FIFA World Cup Ever

SBS Welcomes Back Cup Fever! For The Biggest FIFA World Cup Ever 2 April, 2026 Media releases Santo Cilauro, Ed Kavalee and a host of special guests retur...

02/04/2026

Truth. Power. Perspective: NITV's Flagship Current Affairs Programs Return to Lead the National Conversation

Truth. Power. Perspective: NITV's Flagship Current Affairs Programs Return t...

02/04/2026

L3Harris Powers First Crewed Mission Around the Moon in 50 Years

L3Harris has successfully powered the historic launch of the Artemis II mission, providing propulsion and avionics....

02/04/2026

Scripps Completes Sale of WRTV to Circle City Broadcasting

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

02/04/2026

GoVertical! AiDi Powers Real-Time 9:16 Autocropping for I...

Already deployed extensively by NBC Sports, FOR-A Corporation will demonstrate GoVertical! AiDi, the real-time 9:16 autocropping feature of viztrick AiDi, durin...

02/04/2026

Elite Media Technologies Selects Interra Systems BATON Fi...

Interra Systems, a provider of end-to-end quality assurance solutions for the digital media industry, announced that Elite Media Technologies has selected its B...

02/04/2026

TDF Expands Broadcast Channel Lineup with Harmonic

Harmonic's Media Processing Solutions Maximize Bandwidth Efficiency for Terrestrial Broadcast Delivery Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that TDF, a...

02/04/2026

FOR-A's Software-Defined, AI-Powered Development Advances...

NBC Sports Deploys viztrick AiDi to Stream Live Events in 9:16 Mobile-First Formats with Auto Tracking, Development Signals Strategic Shift for FOR-A Long reco...

02/04/2026

Evergent showcases innovations in sports streaming and mo...

Evergent will showcase new innovations in subscriber lifecycle management and monetization at NAB Show 2026 (Las Vegas, April 18 22), including: New advances i...

02/04/2026

Binghamton University Strengthens Student Run Productions...

Riedel Communications is proud to be part of Binghamton University, State University of New York, Athletics' milestone year, celebrating the university'...

02/04/2026

Techex and Encompass Launch Industry-Leading Cloud-Based...

Encompass Digital Media and Techex have today announced new, fully managed, cloud-native Master Control services designed to meet the growing operational demand...

02/04/2026

Winning in the new media economy - Avid debuts fully avai...

Avid today announced it will showcase new innovations designed to help media companies win in the new media economy at NAB Show 2026 (April 18 22, Las Vegas Co...

02/04/2026

PlayBox Neo reinforces MIMO Tech with new Playout capabil...

PlayBox Neo helps AIS PLAY kick-off premier football content direct to fans PlayBox Neo has provided MIMO Tech with a brand-new major installation to extend it...

02/04/2026

Globo transitions primary distribution to SRT over IP wit...

Globo has transitioned its primary content distribution to Secure Reliable Transport over a fully IP-based managed backbone using Synamedia's Quortex PowerV...

02/04/2026

Nexstar Says Pausing Tegna Merger Creates 'Impossible' Challenges

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

02/04/2026

FCC Launches Efforts to Strengthen U.S. Drone Ecosystem

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

02/04/2026

WAPA+ to Launch on Dish, DishLatino, Sling TV and Sling Freestream

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

02/04/2026

Student Spotlight: Al-Fadl Salem

Student Spotlight: Al-Fadl Salem The Danish singer recently performed for the queen of Denmark. April 1, 2026 By Editorial Staff Image by Junia Morrow Wh...

02/04/2026

Taku Hirano's Career Is Defined by Identity

Taku Hirano's Career Is Defined by Identity Whether he's performing, composing, teaching, or developing instruments, the do-it-all percussionist sees ...

02/04/2026

Netflix Unveils Official Trailer for 'The Trials of Winnie Mandela'

Back to All News Netflix Unveils Official Trailer for The Trials of Winnie Mandela Entertainment 02 April 2026 GlobalSouth Africa Link copied to clipboard ...

02/04/2026

Netflix Announces Start of Production and New Cast for Second Season of 'Football Parents'

Back to All News Netflix Announces Start of Production and New Cast for Second ...

02/04/2026

The Trailer for 'Ronaldinho: The One and Only' Features Never-Before-Seen Interviews and Defining Moments From the Star's Career

Back to All News The Trailer for Ronaldinho: The One and Only Features Never-Be...

02/04/2026

Red Seat Ventures Launches Speakeasy, a New Hosting, Distribution and Monetization Platform Built for the Next Generation of Creator Media

Red Seat Ventures Launches Speakeasy, a New Hosting, Distribution and Monetizati...

02/04/2026

GoVertical! AiDi Powers Real-Time 9:16 Autocropping for Immediate Streaming to Mobile Devices

GoVertical! AiDi Powers Real-Time 9:16 Autocropping for Immediate Streaming to M...