Entertainment
Netflix Will Launch Lower-Cost, Ad-Supported Streaming Plans, Reed Hastings Says
Netflix, after years of insisting it would stick solely to subscription-only plans, is finally open to offering lower-cost, ad-supported packages, co-CEO Reed Hastings said on the company’s Q1 earnings interview.
The company expects to nail down its ad-supported streaming strategy over the next year or two, Hastings said, “but think of us as quite open to us offering even lower prices with advertising as a consumer choice.”
Hastings’ comments about Netflix planning to intro an ad-supported plan come as the company’s subscriber growth has hit a wall — in fact, Netflix lost 200,000 subs in the first three months of 2022 and expects to drop 2 million in Q2. Adding ad-supported options could give it a new pathway to growth; in addition, to boost the top line, Netflix is looking at ways to collect money from the estimated 100 million-plus households that currently use a shared password to stream without paying for it.
“Those that have followed Netflix know that I’ve been against the complexity of advertising and a big fan of the simplicity of subscription,” Hastings said. “But as much as I’m a fan of that, I’m a bigger fan of consumer choice. And allowing consumers who would like to have a lower price and are advertising-tolerant get what they want, makes a lot of sense.”
Hastings didn’t provide details on what Netflix’s ad-supported plans might cost. The streamer’s standard two-stream HD plan costs $15.49 per month in the U.S.
Several of Netflix’s biggest competitors offer cheaper, ad-supported plans, including Hulu, HBO Max and Paramount+. Last month Disney announced plans to launch an ad-supported Disney+ plan starting late in 2022 in the U.S.
“I don’t think we have a lot of doubt that [the ad model] works,” Hastings said, citing Hulu and HBO Max as well as the upcoming plans from Disney+. “I’m sure we’ll just get in and figure it out — as opposed to test it and maybe do it or not do it.”
With its advertising play, Netflix can avoid wading into data-privacy pitfalls that have become problematic for some internet companies by using third-party technologies that match ads with viewers without needing access to personally identifiable information, Hastings said.
Last month, Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann signaled the streamer’s willingness to consider adopting an ad-supported tier. “It’s not like we have religion against advertising, to be clear,” Neumann said at a Morgan Stanley investment conference. While “that’s not something that’s in our plans right now,” he said, “never say never.”
THE president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) Mr Bessa Simon has described criticism against a donation made to the family of the legendary Yaw Sarpong as misleading and a means to tarnish their image.
According to him, GH¢500 donated to the family during one week observance wasn’t the final funeral contribution but a symbolic amount to help with refreshment during the one week observance.
• Yaw Sarpong
He told the Spectator Agoro that the Union will make a formal donation at the funeral to the icon in the gospel industry.
“Giving an amount at one week is a common practice and shouldn’t overshadow Yaw Sarpongs legacy” he added
Meanwhile others praised MUSIGA for showing solidarity, others condemned the amount, describing it as inadequate and disrespectful to the legacy of the veteran singer.
Yaw Sarpong, born in Accra, emerged as one of Ghana’s most influential gospel musicians and a defining voice in contemporary Christian music across West Africa.
Rising from humble beginnings and shaped by the political and social turbulence of post-independence Ghana, he transformed gospel music with a distinctive blend of spiritual depth, lyrical clarity, and disciplined musical arrangement.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah, Ghana’s celebrated child prodigy and youngest achiever ever recorded in the Guinness World Records’ 70-year history is set to captivate audiences at the upcoming Ghana Independence Day celebrations in Beijing, China.
The Ghana Embassy in the People’s Republic of China will host series of events culminating on March 6, 2026, to mark Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary, with Ace Liam’s artwork prominently featured.
As part of the Embassy’s cultural initiatives, an art exhibition will showcase creative works by top Ghanaian artists including Ace Liam and renowned artist Ibrahim Mahama.
The exhibition aims to celebrate Ghana’s vibrant cultural heritage and foster closer cultural ties between Ghana and China.
At just 3 years old, Ace-Liam has earned acclaim for his innovative artistic talents. His participation in the Independence Day events highlights the role of young Ghanaian artists in promoting the country’s rich culture on a global stage.
Ambassador Kojo Bonsu, during a press soiree held on February 5, 2026, emphasised Ghana’s commitment to deepening its relationship with China through cultural exchange and economic collaboration.
The planned events will also include a business forum and a fashion show by Nineteen57, blending traditional and modern Ghanaian styles.
This will be Ace-Liam’s second international art exhibition after his debut in Barbados at the GUBA Awards.
In 2025, he received an award at the UK Parliament House of Commons as a Global Child Prodigy in Arts. He was also awarded the Kid Creator of the Year at the Creators Awards Ghana 2025.
In a related development, Ace-Liam Ankrah has been recognised as a Young Achiever in the Guinness World Records Book 2026 edition, becoming the youngest achiever in the organisation’s 70-year history.
Featured in the special anniversary edition marking seven decades of global excellence, Ace-Liam joins a distinguished group of record holders and global icons such as Simone Biles, Usain Bolt, and Dolly Parton. His achievements have made a lasting impact worldwide, capturing international attention through the extraordinary power of early childhood creativity.
This latest recognition by Guinness World Records marks a defining milestone not only for Ace-Liam, but also for Ghana and the African creative community. It highlights the importance of nurturing creativity from an early age and demonstrates the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when talent is supported and allowed to flourish.
Reacting to this news, Ace-Liam’s Mother/Manager Chantelle Kuukua Eghan remarked, ‘Ace-Liam being featured in the 2026 Guinness World Records Book as a Young Achiever is a dream come true. I feel blessed and super excited to be his mother. This is not just a win for him, but a win for all kids in the world.’’
Ace-Liam’s artistic journey began at just six months old when his mother, Ghanaian visual artist Chantelle Kuukua, laid out a canvas and paints to keep him engaged while she worked on a commissioned piece.
What began as a simple moment of curiosity quickly revealed something remarkable. Within minutes, he created his first artwork, later titled The Crawl, a vibrant expression that marked the beginning of an exceptional creative path.
Edem Mensah –Tsotorme
