Meter buys networking media outlet Packet Pushers to court engineers
What's the deal? Networking company Meter has acquired Packet Pushers, the independent media outlet known for its roster of networking podcasts. The companies announced the deal on November 2, 2026; financial terms were not disclosed.
What each side brings: Meter sells enterprise networking infrastructure. Packet Pushers runs 14 active shows, thousands of episodes, newsletters, and a Slack community, giving it an established audience of network engineers.
How it works: Meter says it will fund the outlet's growth while Packet Pushers keeps full editorial independence — control over programming, guests, and coverage, including of Meter and its competitors. The outlet also plans to go sponsor-free in 2027.
Why it matters: The deal gives Meter a direct line to the practitioners who buy and run networks. Co-founder Ethan Banks and Meter chief executive officer Anil Varanasi framed the move as the best path for the outlet while aiming to reassure listeners it won't become "the Meter Podcast Network."
What's the endgame? The acquisition follows Meter's 2026 purchase of WiredScore, which pushed it into building connectivity and real estate. Together, the deals show Meter expanding beyond its core infrastructure business into adjacent markets and community.
What could go wrong? The key test is whether the promised editorial independence holds in practice. With no financial terms disclosed, listeners have little to judge the arrangement by beyond the companies' assurances.
The signal: Vendors increasingly want to own the channels that reach their buyers, not just advertise on them. Meter's bet is that credibility with engineers is worth more than the editorial control it says it is giving up.
Read more: packetpushers.net
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