Chris Duke
Encyclopedia
Chris Duke is an American television personality and the TV host of the TV series Motorz TV
on MavTV
, Untamed Sports TV
produced by Duke Networks. The goal of his show, which launched in 2008, is to educate viewers on how to maintain their vehicles and install accessories using simple hand tools they already have in their garage.
and raised in Washington. Growing up with a gear head for an older brother who was constantly re-building engines, Chris' interest in the automotive industry began as soon as he was able to drive. While working for Microsoft
right after graduating from Sammamish High School
, this autodidact spent most of his evenings and weekends modifying his car, mainly through aftermarket accessories. In addition to installing a massive stereo system that was worth more than the car itself, he designed and built his own 7th order acoustic subwoofer
speaker enclosure, made popular by Bose Corporation, that filled the entire rear hatchback of his vehicle.
In 1990 he moved to San Diego, California
to pursue a new life in a warmer climate. Still focusing on his technical background in software development, Chris went on to work for Science Applications International Corporation
, O'Reilly Media
and then TEN Magazines, a startup company
which published websites and print publications for automotive enthusiasts. Its first website and magazine was titled Ford Truck World, which was hugely popular in the early 2000s due to Chris' enthusiasm for Ford trucks. Playing the role of Chief Technology Officer for the startup, Chris also held the additional titles of editor, writer, and photographer for the magazine, pumping out over 300 pages of editorial content which was published nationally on major newsstands. He wrote mostly DIY articles showing how to install aftermarket products on vehicles. The network of automotive sites, based on technology created by Chris, led to over 20 websites serving over 40 million page views per month to 2.2 Million visitors.
Chris left the publishing company in 2005 to pursue his own goals in the automotive industry. After creating new enthusiast sites Truckblog and Muscle Car Blog, he began to grow tired of publishing written editorial. In 2008, Chris was getting ready to document the installation process of another product when it occurred to him that he should try documenting it using video instead. Having had no face time in front of the camera, this was a new experience for him. After presenting the result to his peers, he was met with praise and encouragement. That video turned into the pilot episode of "Truckblog TV", named after his enthusiast website. 10 episodes later, Chris decided to branch out beyond just trucks and started a new company called "Duke Networks" which re-named the show Motorz TV
in order to capture a larger audience and open the doors to more opportunities. After two successful seasons producing the show for an online audience, Chris not only spoke at the 2009 SEMA Show, but he also hosted and performed installations on two Ford vehicles at that same show, live in front of show attendees. His career in producing video content for the web took a turn in early 2010 when he was approached by both MavTV
and Untamed Sports TV
to bring his show to cable and satellite television. The third season of Motorz TV
premiered on February 7, 2010 on television in a new weekly half-hour format. Season four begins July 4, 2010.
Motorz TV
Motorz TV is an American television series seen nationwide on MavTV, Untamed Sports TV, TiVo, and globally on YouTube and iTunes. The educational automotive series is hosted by Chris Duke....
on MavTV
MavTV
Mav TV is a digital cable channel, focused towards men in the 18-54 age group. It features original programming centered around topics that appeals to men, such as sports, comedies, gadgets, gaming, and women.-History:...
, Untamed Sports TV
Untamed Sports TV
Untamed Sports TV is a digital subchannel which provides niche outdoor and lifestyle programming to several stations in the United States. This channel was launched in 2008 by OlympuSAT who also distributes the Funimation Channel.-Programs:...
produced by Duke Networks. The goal of his show, which launched in 2008, is to educate viewers on how to maintain their vehicles and install accessories using simple hand tools they already have in their garage.
Biography
Chris Duke was born near Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and raised in Washington. Growing up with a gear head for an older brother who was constantly re-building engines, Chris' interest in the automotive industry began as soon as he was able to drive. While working for Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
right after graduating from Sammamish High School
Sammamish High School
Sammamish High School is a public secondary school in Bellevue, Washington, USA, serving students in grades 9–12. The school is part of the Bellevue School District, with admission based primarily on the locations of students' homes. The school is known as the Totems, and the mascot is the...
, this autodidact spent most of his evenings and weekends modifying his car, mainly through aftermarket accessories. In addition to installing a massive stereo system that was worth more than the car itself, he designed and built his own 7th order acoustic subwoofer
Subwoofer
A subwoofer is a woofer, or a complete loudspeaker, which is dedicated to the reproduction of low-pitched audio frequencies known as the "bass". The typical frequency range for a subwoofer is about 20–200 Hz for consumer products, below 100 Hz for professional live sound, and below...
speaker enclosure, made popular by Bose Corporation, that filled the entire rear hatchback of his vehicle.
In 1990 he moved to San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to pursue a new life in a warmer climate. Still focusing on his technical background in software development, Chris went on to work for Science Applications International Corporation
Science Applications International Corporation
SAIC is a FORTUNE 500 scientific, engineering and technology applications company headquartered in the United States with numerous federal, state, and private sector clients...
, O'Reilly Media
O'Reilly Media
O'Reilly Media is an American media company established by Tim O'Reilly that publishes books and Web sites and produces conferences on computer technology topics...
and then TEN Magazines, a startup company
Startup company
A startup company or startup is a company with a limited operating history. These companies, generally newly created, are in a phase of development and research for markets...
which published websites and print publications for automotive enthusiasts. Its first website and magazine was titled Ford Truck World, which was hugely popular in the early 2000s due to Chris' enthusiasm for Ford trucks. Playing the role of Chief Technology Officer for the startup, Chris also held the additional titles of editor, writer, and photographer for the magazine, pumping out over 300 pages of editorial content which was published nationally on major newsstands. He wrote mostly DIY articles showing how to install aftermarket products on vehicles. The network of automotive sites, based on technology created by Chris, led to over 20 websites serving over 40 million page views per month to 2.2 Million visitors.
Chris left the publishing company in 2005 to pursue his own goals in the automotive industry. After creating new enthusiast sites Truckblog and Muscle Car Blog, he began to grow tired of publishing written editorial. In 2008, Chris was getting ready to document the installation process of another product when it occurred to him that he should try documenting it using video instead. Having had no face time in front of the camera, this was a new experience for him. After presenting the result to his peers, he was met with praise and encouragement. That video turned into the pilot episode of "Truckblog TV", named after his enthusiast website. 10 episodes later, Chris decided to branch out beyond just trucks and started a new company called "Duke Networks" which re-named the show Motorz TV
Motorz TV
Motorz TV is an American television series seen nationwide on MavTV, Untamed Sports TV, TiVo, and globally on YouTube and iTunes. The educational automotive series is hosted by Chris Duke....
in order to capture a larger audience and open the doors to more opportunities. After two successful seasons producing the show for an online audience, Chris not only spoke at the 2009 SEMA Show, but he also hosted and performed installations on two Ford vehicles at that same show, live in front of show attendees. His career in producing video content for the web took a turn in early 2010 when he was approached by both MavTV
MavTV
Mav TV is a digital cable channel, focused towards men in the 18-54 age group. It features original programming centered around topics that appeals to men, such as sports, comedies, gadgets, gaming, and women.-History:...
and Untamed Sports TV
Untamed Sports TV
Untamed Sports TV is a digital subchannel which provides niche outdoor and lifestyle programming to several stations in the United States. This channel was launched in 2008 by OlympuSAT who also distributes the Funimation Channel.-Programs:...
to bring his show to cable and satellite television. The third season of Motorz TV
Motorz TV
Motorz TV is an American television series seen nationwide on MavTV, Untamed Sports TV, TiVo, and globally on YouTube and iTunes. The educational automotive series is hosted by Chris Duke....
premiered on February 7, 2010 on television in a new weekly half-hour format. Season four begins July 4, 2010.