Former Disney exec to take on chief content officer role amid widespread cuts at global streamer
Netflix’s global content chief Bela Bajaria is leaving the streamer and will be replaced by former Disney exec Peter Rice.
Bajaria’s exit comes after a decade with the company and amid a cull of around 1,000 staff as it battles to improve engagement and subscriber retention.
She joined the streamer in 2016 having been being let go by NBC Universal, where she had run Universal Television, and initially oversaw unscripted.
She went on to take on a global remit in 2020 and then replaced Cindy Holland as chief content office in 2023, overseeing shows such as Beef and Stranger Things.
However, the streamer has found growth harder to come by over the past 12 months, particularly with shows struggling to reach multiple seasons. The streamer won 16 Emmy Awards earlier this year, almost half its haul in 2025.
Rice will now take on the chief content officer title from 26 October and will lead Netflix’s global content teams, overseeing scripted and unscripted series, film, and live events across all regions.
The appointment is a return to a major role for Rice, who was most recently chairman of Walt Disney Television and chairman of general entertainment for The Walt Disney Company.
His remit had covered networks ranging from ABC and Fox to Disney Channel, Freeform and FX Networks, as well as Hulu, and production divisions Disney Television and Twentieth Century Fox Television.
His credits ranged from The Simpsons and American Idol to Modern Family, This Is Us, The Bear and Only Murders in the Building, but he was ditched in 2022 by then-Disney chief exec Bob Chapek.
He has since been producing on projects and working on the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in LA.
Earlier in his career he worked for Fox Searchlight Pictures, having graduated from the University of Nottingham in 1989.
Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, said: “I want to thank Bela for a decade of dedication, innovation, creativity and leadership.
“She led enormous changes at Netflix. She helped broaden our content offering to include the large-scale expansion of unscripted programming and the launches of live events and sports, in addition to crafting and running a world-class, global slate of films and series. I’m incredibly grateful for everything she’s done to help Netflix entertain the world.”
Sarandos continued: “Peter is one of the most effective at-scale operators in the entertainment industry. His business acumen is sharp, his talent relationships are exceptionally strong, and his experience across TV and film is deep and broad.
“He understands what makes stories resonate, and he’s spent his career helping talent do the best work of their lives. I’m excited to welcome him to Netflix as Chief Content Officer as we continue to scale and deliver members more of the stories they love.”
Rice added: “Netflix has fundamentally changed the way stories are made, shared and experienced around the world.
“They’ve shown again and again that they’re willing to take chances on distinctive voices and fresh ideas, and I’m excited to work with the team to help bring even more great stories to members everywhere. I’m grateful to Bela for building such a remarkable global team, and I look forward to building on everything she and the team have created.”
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