October 31, 2022 - Net Worth

Strong Competition Led to Basic with Ads

But as pressure from streaming competitors mounts and subscriber numbers dwindle, Netflix executive Reed Hastings said in April that the streaming giant was looking at cheaper deals with ads.

“Those who have followed Netflix know that I have been against the complexity of advertising and a big dan of the simplicity of subscription,” Hastings explained on the April first-quarter-earnings call.

“But as much as I am a fan of that, I am a bigger fan of consumer choice – and allowing consumers who would like to have a lower price and are advertising tolerant to get what they want makes a lot of sense.”

Subscribers are provided to watch films and shows in high-definition video quality (up to 720p) on one device at a time with the Basic with Ads plan. However, ads will not appear in any Netflix games.

Alongside the release of the lower-price plan, Netflix will improve its Basic plan, at $9.99 a month, from standard definition (480p) to HD.

The Basic with Ads plan will be accessible in 12 countries and will be released in the United States on November 3.

Steve Burns Returns to ‘Blue’s Clues’ in its Film Adaptation

Net Worth Staff on October 31, 2022

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After a heartwarming message of love that brought fans to tears about a year ago, original Blue’s Clues host Steve Burns now joins his old friends in this debut film inspired by the Nickelodeon series.

Burns, along with successors Donovan Patton (Joe) and Josh Dela Cruz (Josh), will appear in Blue’s Big City Adventure. It follows Josh and everyone’s favorite puppy on a trip to New York after Josh’s auditions for a Broadway musical.

However, Josh forgets his handy dandy notebook at home, so Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper embark on a trip to the big city. There, they meet a local acquaintance: Burns, who has traded in his unforgettable green striped polo shirt for a tie.

As the journey to the Big Apple continues, Josh and Blue meet new friends and discover the magic of music and dance. The musical, which premieres on Paramount + on November 18, also includes performances by BD Wong, Phillipa Soo, Ali Stroker, Alex Winter and Steven Pasquale.

Blue’s Clues was initially released on Nick Jr. in 1996. In the series, Burns guides children through a variety of mysteries, with his dog Blue helping to unravel the clues. In 2002, Burns left the show, leaving the leash to Steve’s brother, Joe, played by Patton.

The series was rebooted in 2019 as Blue’s Clues & You! with new host Dela Cruz.

Burns Addresses Sudden Exit

Last year, on the show’s 25th anniversary, Burns recorded a video message about his sudden departure (in season four, “Steve Goes to College”), cutting onions for fans.

“Hi, you got a second?” he stated, dressed in a new green polo.

“You remember how when we were younger, we used to run around and hang out with Blue and find clues, and talk to Mr. Salt, and freak out about the mail, and do all the fun stuff? And then one day, I was like, ‘Oh hey, guess what? Big news… I’m leaving.”

Burns then asked, “Can we talk about that?”

The 48-year-old host elaborated that the time he was away made him challenge himself and utilize his mind.

As a grown-up, “I literally am doing many of the things that I wanted to do.”

He further said, “Look at all you have done and all you have accomplished in all that time. And it’s just… it’s just so amazing, right? I mean, we started out with clues, and now it’s what? Student loans, and jobs, and families, and some of that has been kind of hard, you know?

“I know you know. I guess I just wanted to say that after all these years, I never forgot you. Ever. And I’m super glad we’re still friends.”

In an interview with EW in 2003, Burns said that Blue’s Clues family always held a part in his heart.

“I’m really protective of the show and the new guy [Donovan Patton],” he stated. “But the nice thing is now I get to bust that character out whenever I want to. It’s kind of like being Clark Kent.”