Netflix replaces chief content officer Bela Bajaria with Peter Rice
Netflix said chief content officer Bela Bajaria will leave the company after nearly ten years and announced former Disney and Fox executive Peter Rice as her replacement.
Netflix announced on Wednesday that Bela Bajaria will depart from her role as chief content officer, a position she has held since 2023 after joining the company in 2016. The streaming service named Peter Rice, who previously led television divisions at Disney and Fox, as her successor.
The change was communicated to staff shortly before a scheduled VIP screening of the upcoming film “Nobody Wants This.” The announcement coincided with a broader reduction of about 1,000 jobs at the company.
"I want to thank Bela for a decade of dedication, innovation, creativity and leadership," said co-CEO Ted Sarandos in a press release. "She led enormous changes at Netflix, expanding unscripted programming, live events and sports, and overseeing a global slate of films and series. I’m incredibly grateful for everything she’s done to help Netflix entertain the world."
Industry observers noted that Bajaria had overseen the expansion of Netflix’s international operations and the addition of new content formats, while the company has recently faced declining subscriber growth and a lower profile in awards circuits. Rice’s appointment has been described by some producers as a move toward greater strategic discipline.
Netflix did not provide further comment on the leadership transition.