Netflix announced on October 15 that Peter Rice will replace Bela Bajaria as chief content officer, effective October 26. The appointment puts the former Disney and Fox executive in charge of the streaming service’s worldwide programming, as Bajaria leaves after nearly a decade at the company.
According to Netflix’s announcement, Rice will oversee films, scripted and unscripted series and live events across all regions. Co-chief executive Ted Sarandos highlighted his experience in television and cinema and his relationships with creative talent as reasons for welcoming him to the role.
Reuters reported that Bajaria joined Netflix in 2016 and became chief content officer in January 2023. During her tenure, the service released hits including Bridgerton and Squid Game and expanded live programming through multiyear agreements with WWE and the NFL.
The change follows substantial staff reductions. Reuters said Netflix told employees in an internal memo a day earlier that it was cutting roughly 1,000 jobs, equivalent to 6% of its workforce. The agency described the reductions as the company’s largest since 2022, placing the leadership transition alongside a wider workforce shake-up.
Rice previously chaired Walt Disney Television and Disney’s general entertainment division. TheWrap reported that he left Disney in 2022 and subsequently produced films including Saturday Night, Warfare and 28 Years Later. His earlier career included leadership roles at Fox Searchlight and Fox’s television operations.
In Netflix’s statement, Sarandos thanked Bajaria for broadening its programming, including unscripted shows, live events and sports. Rice said he wanted to build on the global team she had assembled and help bring more stories to audiences. His October 26 start is the next confirmed step in the transition.
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