Leo Laporte has announced he will retire from Premiere Networks’ syndicated “The Tech Guy” show on the weekend of December 18. He will continue hosting the show as a podcast “Ask The Tech Guy” on his Twit.TV network along with current co-host Mikah Sargent which will also stream live on Sundays from 2-5pm eastern/11am-2pm pacific.
“The Tech Guy” debuted on 640 KFI Los Angeles in 2004 with the show entering syndication in January 2007. Laporte had previously hosted a previous syndicated show in the 1990s based at KGO San Francisco. He also has hosted television shows for MSNBC, TechTV, and G4.
The syndicated show will be taken over by KTLA Los Angeles tech reporter Rich DeMuro under the name “Rich on Tech” starting Saturday, January 7. DiMuro hosts a podcast of the same name and has previously served as a fill-in host for Laporte. He was the former editor of C|NET and has also worked at KCBS-TV, Channel One News and television stations in Shreveport and Yakima.
After many years as host of “The Tech Guy” on more than 200 radio stations nationwide, radio veteran and Premiere Networks-syndicated personality Leo Laporte announced his decision to retire from radio at the end of the year. Laporte shared the news with his audience on Saturday, November 19. His last show will be January 1, 2023.
As part of his announcement, Laporte introduced his replacement – Emmy Award-winning television personality and podcaster Rich DeMuro, host of the popular “Rich On Tech” segment on KTLA-TV Channel 5 in Los Angeles and the weekly podcast of the same name.
DeMuro, who has guest hosted for Laporte on numerous occasions, will be integrated into “The Tech Guy” through the end of the year, which will lead into the launch of “Rich On Tech,” a new three-hour weekend radio program debuting Saturday, January 7, 2023.
Each week on the program, DeMuro will discuss important consumer technology, trends, helpful tips and gadget reviews, while answering listener questions in this fun and entertaining radio program. “Rich On Tech” will broadcast live on Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. PT/ 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET and will be available to stations to air throughout the weekend. Listeners and fans can also interact with DeMuro on social media by following @RichOnTech.
“After 46 years in radio, 19 of them as ‘The Tech Guy,’ I thought it would be nice to see what Sunday brunch is like. Fortunately, I won’t be leaving our audience in the lurch; Rich is the perfect guy to help people get the most out of technology. I’ll raise a mimosa in your honor, Rich.”
“I’m so excited to be available to viewers and listeners in a whole new way on the radio!” said DeMuro. “I can’t wait to answer questions and talk about gadgets, tech news, and helpful apps, plus tackle important topics like privacy and scams. My goal is to make it the most useful show you can listen to each week, live or on the podcast. Leo has been an inspiration over the years and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”
“Leo has been a trusted source of tech news and information for listeners across the country, and we’ve enjoyed a successful partnership with him for more than 15 years,” said Julie Talbott, President of Premiere Networks. “We wish him all the best! We also look forward to this new and exciting chapter with Rich DeMuro, who has built a loyal following across TV, audio and social media. We’re confident audiences will enjoy his smart and fresh take on the world of technology.”
Stations interested in “Rich On Tech” can contact affiliates@premierenetworks.com.
