The Story Of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)

Kentucky Fried Chicken, the national fried chicken chain known as KFC, is synonymous with Colonel Sanders, its mascot that appears in the logo and advertisements. In fact, Colonel Sanders is more than a mascot because he's actually based on the fast food chain's founder, Harland Sanders, who started the company and later opened the first KFC franchise restaurant near Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952.

So, it might come as a surprise that Sanders had a falling out with the chain after he sold its 600-plus locations to former Kentucky governor John Y. Brown Jr. and another investor in 1964 for $2 million and an annual salary of $40,000. He seemingly had a good relationship with the company for a while because he continued to appear in ads and visit KFC locations as the chain grew in the U.S. and Canada. Despite that relationship, Sanders was unhappy with changes in the recipes and opened a new restaurant called Claudia Sanders, The Colonel's Lady Dinner House with his wife Claudia Sanders in 1968.

In 1971, KFC was absorbed by Heublein, and the company wasn't happy about the Colonel using his image with his new restaurant venture. Heublein took Sanders to court, but he ended up countersuing the conglomerate for more than $122 million in 1974. The lawsuit claimed that Heublein prevented Sanders from franchising his new restaurant and that it was unlawfully using his image for products he didn't develop. The lawsuit was eventually settled for $1 million and the couple was allowed to keep their eatery. 

KFC and Colonel Sanders' troubled history

However, that wasn't the only lawsuit between the two parties. During many of his appearances at KFC restaurants, Colonel Harland Sanders made it clear that he wasn't happy with how the chain had changed up its recipes for gravy and fried chicken. According to The New York Times, he allegedly referred to the gravy as "sludge." He even went on record in an interview with The Courier-Journal newspaper (via The Day) describing the chain's chicken breading as "a damn fried dough ball stuck on some chicken" among other insults. He further criticized how KFC made its gravy, referring to it as "wallpaper paste." 

The remarks led the company to sue Sanders in 1975 for libel and defamation. However, the lawsuit was unsuccessful because a judge ruled that his criticism came via newspapers and could not be regarded as direct libel. By then, Sanders and his wife had opened their own eatery under a new name called Claudia Sanders Dinner House, in Shelbyville, Kentucky.

The pair eventually sold the restaurant, though it still operates in its new location where you can enjoy dishes like fried chicken, catfish, and fried green tomatoes. Sanders died in 1980, but if you want to take a bite of his historic fried chicken made with KFC's secret blend of 11 herbs and spices still used today, there are over 25,000 KFC restaurants operating in more than 145 countries as of 2023.

Avatar: The Legend Of Aang - Burning Earth (GBA)

The Burning Earth is based on the second season, Book 2: Earth, of the television series. The game begins with Team Avatar arriving at an Earth Kingdom base where they confront General Fong, who seeks to trigger Aang's Avatar State to overthrow the Fire Nation. After defeating Fong's forces, Aang enters the Avatar State to stop him. 

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The Origin Story Of DreamWorks' Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron

An inspiring story of survival, strength, friendship, and freedom, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is an all-time favorite movie for horse lovers of all ages. It follows a wild mustang as he fights for his freedom and that of his herd. The artistry, story line, and killer soundtrack work together to make a horse movie worth watching over and over.

It’s been 18 years since the original animated movie made its debut. You might have every line memorized, but did you know there is a real-life Spirit that inspired the fictional character?

Unlike other animated movies, Spirit is based on reality as much as possible. The horses don’t talk, and generalized events including the expansion of the railroad are based on fact, not fiction. Producers thought it was important to deliver a film that inspired viewers while melding the worlds of animation and real life. Achieving that goal would take more than clever animation. They needed artistry that could tell a story without dialogue and evoke emotions with each movement.

To do that, artists needed a model. They needed a real-life horse that would serve as inspiration and example. After a search, they found a Kiger mustang with beautiful conformation, coloring, and strength. His name was Donner, but these days, that real-life mustang goes by a different name: Spirit.

DreamWorks selected the now-named Spirit when he was a colt. Born to a stallion and mare that had been captured by the BLM in Oregon, Spirit was (and still is) a beautiful example of the Kiger mustang breed. His wide-set eyes and thick, wavy, multi-colored tail and mane became the inspiration for the animated horse that is still stealing hearts all these years later.

Before the 2002 movie made it to the big screen, animators spent countless hours observing Spirit. They watched how his muscles moved when he ran and how his face changed with his mood. With Spirit’s help, animators created an accurate equine character that looks and moves just like their live model.

When the movie was finished, DreamWorks chose Return to Freedom’s American Wild Horse Sanctuary to be Spirit’s permanent home. It’s been almost two decades since Spirit posed for animators, but the beautiful mustang we all love still serves as an advocate for Kiger mustangs and all of America’s wild horses. In fact, he recently celebrated his 25th birthday!

Like his animated character, the real-life Spirit is part of the fight to help wild horses maintain their natural habitats and freedom. While he lives at the sanctuary and loves interacting with people, Spirit is a prominent ambassador for wild horses. He engages youth around the world to learn more about America’s mustangs and every horse’s need for freedom and protection.

He lives on Return to Freedom’s headquarter facility in Santa Barbara County on 300 acres of pristine California pasture. From a young age he learned to be comfortable around people, but those who know him best say he has spunk and spirit similar to that of his fictional character. He’s grown to be an important part of the wild horse sanctuary, and he’s helping educate the public about his breed and ways humans can protect all of America’s wild horses.

With Spirit’s claim to fame, he attracts crowds of fans to his sanctuary home. During these visits, the real-life Spirit helps the sanctuary spread an important message about what’s currently happening to the country’s wild horses and what the public can do to help.

Spirit’s work in inspiring others has been recognized not only by the countless people he has met, but also by the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Foundation. The organizations inducted Spirit into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame in 2018, and he continues to influence the sanctuary’s mission even decades after Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron was released.

Now 25 years old, the real-life Spirit is busy enjoying life at the sanctuary. He spends his days interacting with a few of his equine friends and enjoying attention and care from his favorite humans. He was born in captivity, but the spirit of independence and the wild west lives in his veins. And thanks to Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, his image will continue to show others that freedom is always worth fighting for.

Disney And Canal+ Remain Silent About French Overseas Territories Following The Upcoming Closure Of Disney Channels

Not long ago, it was reported that Disney would be axing their last remaining linear offering in France with Disney Channel And Disney Junior set to go dark on the platform by 31 December 2024. After the French broadcaster became the exclusive home to Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar will now be integrated with Disney+.

Aside from France, Disney also managed the feeds for consumers in Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Andorra, Haiti and Francophone Africa. With their fate being left up in the air, these territories are most likely to lose their channels seeing as they're all conjoined.

Another scenario which could be similar to what was seen in Middle East and North Africa is that these remaining French territories will likely be merged with Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). I think the question would have to be whether any French audio track will be provided if that was the case.

Kind of interesting is that MultiChoice who also offer Disney+ and the remaining linear offering in a separate agreement in Anglophone Africa is also in the process of being acquired by the French broadcaster. Basically, Canal+ would still have control over what the media consumes but in another territory.

Not Shocking!!! The Disney Channels To Go Dark In France By The End Of December With Further Content Being Allocated On Disney+

Canal+, which launched Disney+ in the French market, is to lose the streaming service from 1 January 2025.

Disney announced Monday that its content would no longer be available to Canal’s subscribers – the day that the Vivendi-owned company was celebrating its 40th anniversary.

It is a major blow for the pay-TV operator that has successfully pivoted to a super-aggregator after an earlier loss of rights to French top-flight football. 

In addition to Disney+, remaining linear channels such as Disney Channel will also be pulled, as will content from the Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar franchises, at least in the short-term.

The decision by Disney no longer let its latest films be broadcast by the pay-TV service six months after their cinema release, as is in the norm in France means it will now take 17 months before viewers are able to stream the latest titles through Disney+.

A spokesperson for Disney told Broadband TV News: “From 1 January, Canal’s customers will no longer be able to watch our upcoming new movie releases, Disney+ or our channels through Canal’s offering. Our blockbuster movies, award-winning TV series, and exclusive Originals remain widely available on Disney+ directly and through partners for everyone to enjoy their favorite stories from our brands.”

Speaking on France Info Gérald-Brice Viret, CEO of Canal+ France, was putting on a brave face. “They had the delicacy to do it on our anniversary. And on the other hand, I can tell you that it is a fairly marginal consumption by our subscribers: they prefer, for example, MAX, Paramount, Netflix, Apple TV or Ciné+,” he said. 

In 2019, Canal signed an exclusive distribution agreement for Disney’s streaming platform, a few months before its launch in France.

Afrikaans Voice Actors For Vierspel Vuurspel

Cartoonito And CBC To Debut Upcoming Spin-Off To Hit Animated Series 'Dino Ranch' In 2026

Boat Rocker, an independent, integrated global entertainment company, today announced that it has greenlit Dino Ranch: Island Explorers, a spin-off of its hit preschool animated series Dino Ranch, with CBC/Radio-Canada and Warner Bros. Discovery onboard as broadcast partners. The new animated series (52 x 11 mins) will air on CBC, CBC Gem, CBC Kids YouTube, ICI TÉLÉ, ICI TOU.TV and Radio-Canada.ca in Canada and Warner Bros Discovery's Cartoonito across Europe, Middle East, and Africa in 2026.

Dino Ranch: Island Explorers sees the Cassidy Clan getting ready for the adventure of a lifetime, filled with humour, peril, and fun. It's time to trade their cowboy hats for explorer hats and head to the mysterious and exotic Dino Island. Uncle Jack Cassidy lives on the island which is teeming with brand new dinosaur species, humongous insects and prehistoric amphibians. Join Jon, Min, Miguel and their trusty dinos, as they explore the Island's dino filled jungle, active volcano, and the previously undiscovered world under the water. 

"We're thrilled to be producing Dino Ranch: Island Explorers, a premium animated preschool spin-off series that builds off the global success of Dino Ranch, continues our valued relationship with CBC/Radio-Canada in Canada, and adds a wonderful new partner for EMEA in Warner Bros. Discovery," said Jon Rutherford, President, Global Rights, Franchise, and Content Strategy, Boat Rocker Studios. "As a key franchise for Boat Rocker we're focused on continued worldwide expansion for the Dino Ranch brand across content sales, consumer products and digital."

"Working with our partners at Boat Rocker, we look forward to sharing the Cassidy Clan's new adventure with kids and families across Canada, as they explore life outside of the ranch," said Marie McCann, Senior Director, Children's Content, CBC Kids. "We know kids have dino-sized imaginations and will be totally inspired by the jaw-dropping underwater world created by Matt Fernandes and his amazing team."

Zia Sands, Director Content Acquisitions, Partnerships and Coproductions, Warner Bros. Discovery, Kids, EMEA, said: "Cartoonito provides a safe and trusted space for pre-schoolers and their family to engage with the characters they love, fun filled stories and a host of exciting new adventures. The spin-off series of Dino Ranch, complements the values and expectation of our preschool audience and we're very excited to be partnering with Boat Rocker on what we are sure will be a high-end production that will entertain and delight our Cartoonito audiences."

Previous seasons of Dino Ranch are airing globally now, including on CBC, CBC Gem, CBC Kids YouTube, ICI TÉLÉ, ICI TOU.TV and Radio-Canada.ca in Canada. The series has seen international sales in more than 170 countries and 15 languages worldwide, including the U.S (Disney Junior and Disney+), Latin America (Disney Junior), UK (Tiny Pop), France (Gulli), Germany (Super RTL), Spain (Clan), and Italy (Cartoonito). The series boasts global licensing deals across a range of categories and consumer products, including publishing and apparel.  

Dino Ranch: Island Explorers is created by Matt Fernandes (of Industrial Brothers) and produced by Industrial Brothers and Boat Rocker.

Boat Rocker manages global franchise development, including content distribution and consumer products. Animation services for the spin-off series will be provided by Jam Filled Entertainment.

This greenlight is part of Boat Rocker's content first strategy which sees the company focused on making targeted investments in the sourcing, production, and distribution of premium scripted, unscripted, and kids & family projects. Other upcoming series include Bet for Netflix and the recently announced international scripted co-productions, Video Nasty for BBC3 and WDR and Mix Tape for Foxtel's Binge.

Google Has Killed Independent Publishers Like Us, What's Next?

As some of you already know, Google continues bleeding independent publishers dry with their latest algorithm update leaving only large websites to takeover the search engine alongside the help of other platforms like Reddit and Quora. But if I had to be frank, it's mainly large websites alongside TikTok and Threads that are killing us.

It's sort of reached this point where I had to reduce the amount of content going to this site from this point forward while thousands of others are looking to close and just "move on". Something I've read was that a convention was held by the search engine where various publishers affected by this issue attended.

For those relying on SEO agencies are wasting their time, it was made clear that our content wasn't the problem and the few that were fortunate to attend got the vibe that there's no recovering from this.

Below is the current state of various independent publishers 

Another algorithm update is on the way but from what I can only assume this will eat away a large part of the internet. With Google pushing hard on Gemini (AI), we presume they'll want to cut away more smaller websites like ours part of which are still have various pages being ranked within a query.

Now imagine being the only competitor in your niche and now these consumers hoping to find your content when searching the web will find zero results or worse run into another website duplicating your content only for them to also get delisted.

As it stands, it's best we just transition from publisher to content creator so we're focusing on YouTube at the moment and hopefully we can add more to the list.