Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #49: Aspiring To Be More Like Captain America – Striving to be more like Captain America in life and business.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #48: Walt Disney, Creative Entrepreneur – Walt Disney speaks about Disneyland as always developing and alive, pointing to creativity and opportunity.
The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.
Gripping Tale Told in Pastor Grant’s Own Words
What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is an edge of-your-seat page-turner by Ray Keating that is torn from the pages of Grant’s own journal.
Pastor Stephen Grant tells a riveting mystery involving deception, betrayal, sacrifice and friendship, along with plenty of action and questions about what we truly can know about others. Grant takes us on a personal journey across decades and around the world, from Long Island to Vietnam.
This is the second Pastor Stephen Grant thriller by Ray Keating told from Grant’s own viewpoint, unfolding each day in the pages of his journal.
In a 4-star review of What’s Lost?, Self-Publishing Review said, “The Pastor Stephen Grant universe grows a bit wider and more fascinating with Ray Keating's latest short story release. This gripping tale of deception, retribution, and redemption is filled with espionage, action, and a good deal of enticing mystery. Keating's original twists and singular protagonist result in another solid ride.”
For good measure, Kirkus Reviews has called Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant “an engaging and multifaceted character” and “a consistently entertaining hero.”
Ray Keating said, “Like Past Lives, What’s Lost? is an adventure written from a first-person point of view. Grant tells the story through his journal entries. And while this is a ‘short story,’ it’s packed with action, mystery and revelations about relationships.”
What’s Lost? comes after the recent publication of Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Storyand Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, which have earned widespread praise.
Paperbacks and the Kindle edition of What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story are at Amazon via https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094GQN6PG and signed books are at https://raykeatingonline.com/products/whatslost.
About Keating and his Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, Kirkus Reviews simply says “exhilarating.” Lutheran Book Review says, “I miss Tom Clancy. Keating fills that void for me.” The retired host of KFUO radio’s BookTalk declares, “Ray Keating is a great novelist.” David Keene of The Washington Times calls these novels “great reads.” And another reviewer observes, “How I'd love to see Pastor Grant on Netflix!”
Keating’s previous Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers/mysteries – Past Lives (2021), Vatican Shadows(2020), The Traitor (2019), Deep Rough (2019), Shifting Sands (2018), Heroes and Villains (2018), Reagan Country (2018), Lionhearts (2017), Wine Into Water (2016), Murderer’s Row (2015), The River (2014), An Advent For Religious Liberty (2012), Root of All Evil? (Second Edition 2020), andWarrior Monk (Second Edition 2019) – have received widespread praise from all kinds of readers.
Review copies, and author interviews and appearances are available upon request.
Contact: Ray Keating
E-mail: raykeating@keatingreports.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PastorStephenGrantNovels
Twitter: @KeatingNovels
PastorStephenGrant.com
RayKeatingOnline.com
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #47: Learn from Disney’s Culture – Disney gets the culture thing, and other businesses should take some lessons from the House of Mouse.
by Ray Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 26, 2021
Disney has announced that guests from outside of California will be welcomed back at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure on June 15, 2021.
Disneyland has been closed to out-of-state residents since March 14, 2020. The gates to the “happiest place on earth” reopened to California residents on April 30, 2021.
In addition, Disney has expanded its window for theme park reservations to 120 days.
Disney noted, “And with the all-new land of Avengers Campus opening at Disney California Adventure park on June 4, plus the reopening of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel on June 15 and Disneyland Hotel on July 2, there couldn’t be a more exciting time to visit Disneyland Resort.”
The announcement on the Disney Parks Blog also highlighted ongoing safety measures: “The State of California strongly recommends that all guests be fully vaccinated or obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the theme parks. In addition, all guests will be required to wear an approved face covering throughout their visit at the Disneyland Resort. As always, our procedures may change as we continue to update our health and safety processes based on guidance from the state of California and local health officials.”
For good measure, on March 21, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that theme parks in California can return to full capacity – if they choose to do so – on June 15.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!
by Ray Keating
Analysis
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 25, 2021
Disney’s push in expanding the live sports line-up on its ESPN+ streaming service, and ESPN and ABC cable/broadcast channels, has been impressive in recent months. And the company is in the conversation, as has been widely reported and we at DisneyBizJournal have been predicting, to grab NFL Sunday Ticket from DirecTV, where it’s been for 25-plus years.
Disney and Baseball
The most recent news regarding live sports came on May 13, with Disney announcing that its ESPN agreement with Major League Baseball would be extended, with a new deal covering 2022 through 2028.
ESPN will televise 30 regular-season games annually, including 25 editions of Sunday Night Baseball, and five additional games, including the national Opening Night telecast. ESPN will continue to exclusively carry the Home Run Derby and will be able to simulcast all ESPN and ABC games on ESPN+.
In addition, if the MLB Wild Card Series is expanded, ESPN will exclusively televise all of it starting in 2022. However, if the current Wild Card format stays, then ESPN will exclusively televise one of the two MLB Wild Card Games and receive eight additional exclusive regular-season games each year.
For good measure, ESPN+ not only will continue streaming a Major League Baseball game nearly every day of the season, but add new MLB content.
While this MLB deal is a reduction of regular season games on ESPN – from 90 games per season to 30 (or 38) – the relationship remains extensive between Disney and MLB. And as Chris Katje at Benzinga noted, “The new deal lowers ESPN’s annual fees from $700 million to $550 million while still keeping the best content.”
Disney and Football
This MLB agreement comes on top of the March 2021 deal with the NFL that runs through 2033. As DisneyBizJournal reported, Disney picked up two Super Bowls, and “ESPN keeps Monday Night Football, while adding six games each season, featuring three Monday night doubleheaders (with a game on ESPN followed by a game on ABC), a late-season Saturday doubleheader, and a Sunday morning game on ESPN+. Also, Monday Night Football will gain a ‘flex’ option starting in week 12 of the season to ensure better games. And ESPN will continue to air the NFL draft.”
Disney and Hockey
Also in March, Disney announced an extensive, seven-year deal with the NHL, running from the 2021-22 season through the 2027-28 season. As DisneyBizJournal noted, the deal includes the NHL.TV out-of-market subscription service moving exclusively to streaming as part of an ESPN+ subscription; the Stanley Cup finals on ABC in four of the seven years; half of the NHL playoff games on ABC and ESPN each year; and 25 NHL games exclusively on ESPN.
Disney and Golf
March also saw the announcement that ESPN+ would be the streaming home of PGA TOUR LIVE starting in 2022 and running through 2030. According to ESPN, that will cover “36 tournaments a year, including a full four days of coverage at 28 events with four simultaneous live feeds each day. PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ will also feature on-demand replays of PGA TOUR events, original golf programs, edited speed round recaps and more.”
Disney and Basketball
And finally, Disney is in the midst of a television deal with the NBA that it splits with TNT. That agreement expires after the 2024-25 season.
If Disney winds up arriving at a deal with the NFL for Sunday Ticket, ESPN+, along with ESPN, will become the clear live sports powerhouse. Expect already strong growth in ESPN+ subscriptions to accelerate.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #46: Star-Lord and Opportunity – Life offers opportunities. The question is: What do you do with them?
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #45: Walt Disney and the Process of Entrepreneurship – Walt Disney understood all aspects of entrepreneurship, from the dream to the money needed to make the dream a reality.
by Ray Keating
Review
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 24, 2021
A warm Sunday evening with a nice breeze. Boxed seats for a Frontyard Festival event at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Dinner and dessert at your table. Oh, yes, and Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope on three big outdoor screens.
Since COVID-19 hit, our family has attended several outdoor movies. We have watched movies from inside our car in a church parking lot. A big open field allowed for a tailgating scenario with a screen too-far-off in the distance. But Sunday night’s viewing of Star Wars was the best outdoor movie experience I’ve had since … well, perhaps ever, never mind just during the pandemic.
The three large screens offered crisp, clear visuals, with each screen elevated so that there were no issues with not being able to see.
And best of all, it was Star Wars. I’ve seen this wonderful movie so many times that I’ve lost count, but never in a venue like this. Every time I watch Star Wars, I fall in love with it all over again. It’s memorable for so many reasons, but now I’ve got seeing it in this unique setting to add to the many positives over the years.
For some reason, however, watching in this unique setting provided a reminder, i.e., that some of the actors fail to truly get the credit they deserve for their performances. Mark Hamill gives a solid performance as the young Luke Skywalker, as opposed to the caricature that often gets discussed. For good measure, some people have come to call C-3PO annoying, but Anthony Daniels gave a delightfully amusing performance. And finally, Peter Cushing as Grand Marf Tarkin shows off his classic acting abilities each time on screen.
And while enjoying one of the all-time great sci-fi/fantasy films, the Phillips Center made it easy to order dinner and dessert on my phone, with it being conveniently delivered to our table.
How was the food?
We ordered Festival Tacos, specifically, the Baja Fish Street Tacos and the Barbacoa Beef Street Tacos. The fish tacos were quite good with a spiciness that went well with the fried fish, while the beef tacos were flavorful, though not spicy, and had a delightful mix of textures for the tongue.
Our Oak Flame Pizza order was for a Margherita pizza that featured a puffy crust and some tasty cheese. The sauce was a bit on the sweet side, which I usually like, but it was less than inspiring.
Our group chose three desserts courtesy of Eola General. The Berry Swirl Cheesecake was creamy and good berry flavor, but the piece was small. Meanwhile, the Carrot Cake not only was quite good, but it was a mighty piece. However, it was the Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie that stole the show. Two big very chocolaty cookies and some light peanut butter made for a chocolate cookie and peanut butter sandwich that was a wonder.
Star Wars on a beautiful night with some good food – I believe the Force was with us.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #44: Like I Was There – Whether it’s Test Track or Avatar Flight of Passage, how to transport customers.
The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.
by Ray Keating
Commentary
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 23, 2021
Are all other streaming services, including Disney+, destined to play second fiddle to Netflix … forever? That’s what media mogul Barry Diller told CNBC late last week.
Diller, of course, is dead wrong. In free enterprise, maintaining one’s market position is not destiny – indeed, anything but. And that reality is only intensified and accelerated in an era of great technological advancements.
Diller’s long career and success in the television and media business naturally give him credibility to have his views tapped by CNBC and others. He told CNBC, “Netflix won this several years ago, they’re the only ones who have the scale and momentum to keep making these somewhat lunatic investments in programming. You cannot compete with the momentum, the scale, no one will ever be able to do that.”
That’s right, Diller asserted that “no one will ever be able” to compete with Netflix.
The CNBC Diller appearance came on the heels of the announcement by AT&T that it would be combining its content arm, WarnerMedia, with Discovery, to create a new company.
That obviously strengthens the HBO Max streaming service. And then there’s Disney+, which even with a recent slowdown has gained subscribers at a far faster rate than originally expected, along with Amazon Prime, Comcast’s Peacock, ViacomCBS’s Paramount+, YouTube, and more.
Netflix gained a major competitive advantage by being the early or first mover on streaming. But the notion that they have so much revenue, scale and momentum that they do not face serious competition is absurd. The history of free enterprise is littered with early movers who gave way to other businesses that improved on quality, service, innovation, et al.
If Netflix continues to produce quality content in an appealing and convenient way for consumers, then it very well may remain the streaming leader for some time. But if other giants, such as Disney and Amazon, do things better, then Netflix could easily slip behind others. And then there’s the fact that the ongoing revolution in computer and telecommunications technologies will serve as fuel or as an opportunity for the next great company or product to challenge Netflix, Disney, Amazon and others already established in the market, or challenge the entire streaming model itself.
The fact is that no one – including Barry Diller – has a crystal ball in terms of where entrepreneurship, invention and innovation will take industries and consumers. That’s good news for entrepreneurs, for creators, for nimble companies and workers, and for consumers – but perhaps not so much for those who might have thrived earlier but lack vision when it comes to the future.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?
Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #43: The True Measure of Strength – True strength is about much more than physical strength, as noted by Zeus in “Hercules,” and exhibited by Captain America in the MCU.
by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 20, 2021
The recent title of a new museum exhibition, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, piqued my interest on two levels. First, as an avid Disney fan, I have always been fascinated by the detailing Disney puts into their projects, whether at the theme parks or in the movies. Secondly, having spent numerous hours editing my husband’s Pastor Stephen Grant novel, also titled Heroes and Villains, the exhibition name automatically jumped up off the page at me.
The museum version of Heroes & Villains will open to the public on June 5, 2021 at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP ) in Seattle, Washington, with tickets to the exhibition now on sale. The exhibition showcases more than 70 original pieces illustrating how the understanding of iconic characters is shaped through the artistry and creativity of its costumes. This will be the first worldwide appearance of the exhibition outside of Disney’s D23 Expo, and is presented in collaboration with the Walt Disney Archives.
The display will span more than 6,000 square feet with “ball gowns, sorcerers’ capes, military uniforms, tiaras, and of course glass slippers, from some of Disney’s toughest villains and kindest heroes, many on custom mannequins, as well as photographs and a special film.”
The Heroes & Villains exhibition highlights include:
Several interactive features will be making an appearance at the exhibit as well. A MoPOP designed “Magic Mirror,” inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, invites guests to virtually “try on” costumes featured in the exhibition, including pieces from Cinderella, Maleficent, Jack Sparrow, or Mary Poppins. (The technology uses a touchless format and a depth camera to transform visitors’ outfits.)
A second interactive area called “Getting Into Character” allows visitors to explore the materials, colors, textures, and forms with which costume designers work. As MoPOP describes, “guests ‘step into’ an area where a projector detects their presence and an animated collage of materials, colors, textures, and/or patterns used to define a particular character are displayed along with information explaining the character and costume design.”
“Costuming is an essential element of storytelling and Heroes & Villains exemplifies the richness of character we hope our films portray,” said Becky Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives. “It has been thrilling to collaborate with MoPOP’s curators to bring a selection of the stunning pieces we have at the Walt Disney Archives to Seattle.”
The Museum of Pop Culture is located at 325 5th Ave. N, in Seattle, Washington. Tickets are $6 for the special exhibit, plus general museum admission. (The range is from $32.50 to $37.00, including the special exhibit fee and dependent on ticket category, day and time). There is no additional charge for MoPOP members. The show runs through April 17, 2022.
Incidentally, the Ray Keating version of Heroes and Villains: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is available right here. No Disney connection implied!
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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.
Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!
