Disqus - Latest Comments for derickValadao

Re: Is there life after hockey for TSN? Rogers deal a huge body blow for Canada’s largest sports network

Derick Valadao — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 00:50:17 -0000

I can almost guarantee you that, if a huge swath of TSN talent doesn't move under the Rogers umbrella in the next few years, it would only be because they turned down large offers out of loyalty to Bell Media.

Think about it, the current media buy is not only a huge investment by Rogers, but also a signal as to the strategic importance of this media asset to Rogers' portfolio. Do you think they wouldn't ear-mark 5.2B on media rights without budgeting a huge investment in increasing their broadcast quality?

As an analogy, look at the investment CBC makes into broadcasting the Olympic games. They (we) pay through the nose for broadcasting rights, and the CBC goes above and beyond in terms of wrap-around access, analysis, accessibility, and production values. It's a commensurate investment to the weight of the rights buy. This will be what Rogers does. They have the worst coverage right now because they have the worst claim to the content. Why invest in salary, set, coverage, graphics design, etc. if you barely broadcast games viewers want to watch?

They don't just want to win viewers with this, they intend to win mind share and loyalty. They are betting that if you become endeared to their coverage, you'll be more likely to do business with them and get bundled access to their sports coverage. They can only do that if viewers don't despise their coverage (as we all currently and fairly do).

This is why the CBC sub-licensing agreement is only 4 years. They intend this to be a transition while they pilot a major investment into their own brand. They likely hope that, after four years, we'll all love SNET coverage (and thank them for canning Healy at CBC) that we won't mind switching over or resolve the cognitive dissonance that would result when HNIC becomes a Rogers brand on their channels.

Re: iPhone 4 Antenna Not An Issue In Canada?

Derick Valadao — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 12:08:12 -0000

This is most definitely an issue, BUT it depends on where you live. I bought mine in Pickering (small town but decent signal) and didn't find any issues with the death grip... then I went to my house, which is practically a bomb shelter as far as signal is concerned. There, touching the black strip does affect signal, but it takes a while to do so. I then high-tailed it to Stouffville where signal strength is always spotty (three bars max at all times). There, death gripping the phone takes you to edge within a couple of minutes. I ordered a case, but it won't be here until September. That said, I know that as long as the signal is good it doesn't matter, so I'm comforted somewhat.

Re: http://www.perspctv.com/

Derick Valadao — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:16:41 -0000

I think McCain's speech was far better, in terms of content, than Palin's. Sarah Palin, while enigmatic without a doubt, was simply FUD for the Republican base. McCain attempted to reach out and grab voters in the key battleground states tonight. However, I still found it to be weak. Too many platitudes without any substance to back them up. He talked about taxes, health care, education, the economy, and other issues but only answered "How?" to the education issue. Even then, his education policy sounds like a repeat of "No Child Left Behind" from the Bush administration. We already know that doesn't work.

No style, very little substance. Obviously a respectable man and a brave soldier, but soldiers deserve respect and honor, not votes. Vote for people with plans, not stories.

Re: The challenges of connecting with hyperconnectivity

Derick Valadao — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:34:08 -0000

Great article. I think this really speaks to people just getting into the social media web (ie, me) who spend about 99% of the time lurking, reading, learning, forming cognitive connections between concepts and ideas before ever really jumping into the conversation.

Re: RSSmeme | The Best Tech Tools and Fitness Plans to Get in Shape

Derick Valadao — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:06:22 -0000

I'm into week 7 of the couch to 5k and I've been loving it. I was an overweight (98 percentile BMI) and asthmatic child who started a healthy lifestyle a couple of years ago. Even after dropping to a relatively lean 160 lbs I could never run. This program has helped a lot and I'm now jogging over two miles without barely breaking sweat. I hope to one day run a full marathon and this program is a perfect start!

Re: http://readburner.com/item/430350/gmail-to-no-longer-auto-add-contacts

Derick Valadao — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:35:08 -0000

I'm very glad this was done. I often get bogged down with one-off email addresses and the suggested contacts feature still lets me select ones to auto add. Perfect.

Re: http://www.readburner.com/index.php?id=436909

Derick Valadao — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:41:48 -0000

Apple definitely shouldn't be forcing consumers to pay for their apps over those of 3rd party developers.

That said, this isn't what they are doing here. They're offering consumers a choice. If, for example, Apple put THEIR poker game right into the OS as a free and included piece of software, it would definitely be a problem. By putting it on the app store, they are on level ground (except for marketing power, which is why I would agree with never having Apple's apps given priority advertising on the iTunes store) and 3rd party developers need only worry about making quality software. The way social media is going, good apps shoot straight to the top based on enthusiast coverage and linking alone.