Roberta’s Blog Jan. 19

Up very early. Sent out an e-mail to kick butt and get the untv.ca team blogging. Well, actually I just begged and pouted and tried to make them feel guilty. Steve obviously responds well to that .. I’ll keep that in mind (smile).

Getting lots of media coverage. Front cover of HFX yesterday .. even a headline at the top on the front page .. not to mention a full page story inside. EXCELLENT!!!!!! Also CP wires picked it up so it will be in every newsroom (radio, TV, newspapers etc.) across the country. APTN did a great national TV story. CBC TV (English and French) did a story … stories on local radio … talk-tape etc. by Phlis MacGregor on CBC Radio One’s Mainstreet … a national interview on CBC Radio’s Freestyle … cbc.ca did a story, under technology .. other great online stuff that I haven’t seen yet (but have been told about) … CKDU .. Dalhousie is also doing an online story and so on.

It’s been a BIG couple of days. And now back to reality and getting more shows produced.

Stay tuned .. what you see now on untv.ca is only the beginning. Lots of new episodes to come (quickly!) and brand new programs too (some new ones are almost ready!).

Later,

Roberta

Steve's Blog - January 19/07

Welcome to our little corner of the 'ninnernet folks. It has been an exciting last couple of days! We've enjoyed some great press coverage and are greatful for the positive response that's come our way so far.

If you like what you see, why not register? We'll keep you informed when new episdoes are released, and share the latest news about untv.ca as it happens. Click here.

As the chief nerd around these parts, I'll try not to geekify my postings here too much. Fear not, earthlings. I mean you no harm.

Over the next few weeks we will be announcing some exciting enhancements to the site, so stay tuned. (Get it? Tuned? See, televisions have a tuner and.. ahh forget it.)

We will be offering our content in a variety of file formats other than Quicktime, and you Linux fans will be happy to know that standard MPEG-2 formats are on the way.

Let us know how we can improve the site! Drop us a line.


Cheers,

Steve

Roberta … late night … Wed., Jan.17

I’m so tired and excited that I can’t sleep. Thinking some grog might improve this blog.

Well, we did it. We launched untv.ca this morning (on an unbelievably cold day). We had a great turnout … and it was fun! One of the funnest (I know that’s not a word, but my daughter Lauren used to say it) was watching the dance of the TV cameras (from CBC and APTN). We made life difficult (apologies!) for shooters by setting up our microphones in different corners … so that every time one of us spoke, the cameras had to scoot across the floor. (Sorry Asna from APTN … you needed roller skates … but you did an AMAZING job anyway!).

Right after that, I was interviewed on CBC Radio’s national afternoon show, Freestyle. Here’s what happened … I was having lunch with my husband, John (who works at CBC Radio) when suddenly Halifax’s Freestyle producer, Stewart, came running into the cafeteria saying “Roberta, you’re supposed to be upstairs, in studio, being interviewed RIGHT NOW!!”. Apparently Freestyle (show originates in Vancouver) told Stewart I was going live into the show at 1:15 .. and they told me 1:30. ANYWAY, we raced up the stairs to Studio B. And then of course, I was more than a little FREAKED and had a hard time getting my breathing under control (so if I sounded a tad nervous, that’s why!). Anyway, as it turned out, I wasn’t on until 1:30. Whew! THIS Hancock isn’t used to being behind the microphone like THAT Hancock (the one who does sports on CBC Radio across the country). John tells me I have bad ‘mic technique’ but told me I did a good job anyway (that’s what husbands are supposed to say!).

Anyway … we made history today (and apparently the front page of Daily News’ ‘HFX’ tomorrow!)

Over and out … cold. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Roberta

Roberta’s Blog – January 16, 2007

Well, it’s been a wild ride! And tomorrow’s the day we’ve all been waiting for. The launch of Canada’s first internet television station.

untv.ca!

It’s hard to say how I feel about it. Mostly excited, I think. Proud. Scared. Hopeful. I know that untv.ca is all about being unafraid. But I have to admit .. I’m just a little afraid. Who wouldn’t be? Steve, Dawn and I own a television station! And not just a television station. A television network!

A year and a half ago, Dawn and I started Pink Dog Productions to create wonderful videos for wonderful not-for-profit charities and arts organizations. And we had lots of fun doing them and will still continue to do videos for people. No .. Pink Dog Productions isn’t disappearing … it just had a puppy called untv.ca. Strange name for a puppy, eh?!

Then, about 8 months ago a mutual friend (it’s all your fault, Keith Costello!) introduced us to a guy called Steve Morrison. An IT guy ..an internet guru type. Keith didn’t know exactly what either of us did ... but he just felt that we might be able to work together.

Boy were you right, Keith!

And the rest, they say … is history.

I feel like it’s the wild west .. anything could happen!

Tomorrow we go LIVE!!!

Hope I can sleep tonight.

Roberta