Netflix's Bela Bajaria Leaving After Decade-Long Tenure Amidst Layoffs
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October 15, 2026, 2:37 PM PT
Netflix Shocker: Bela Bajaria Leaving After 10 Years Amid Layoffs
By Rebecca Rubin Senior Film and Media Reporter @rebeccaarubin
In a major executive reshuffle, Netflix is parting ways with its long-serving chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, after a decade at the streamer. She will be succeeded by Peter Rice, a former Disney and Fox executive, as reported by Puck.
Rice, in his new role, will oversee Netflix's global content, managing scripted and unscripted series, films, live events, and more across all regions.
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Bajaria's exit comes on the heels of a significant downsizing at Netflix, with around 1,000 employees (6% of the company) laid off this week. The company's film VP, Doug Belgrad, and film director, Sheroum Kim, were also let go as part of the restructuring.
"I want to thank Bela for a decade of dedication, innovation, creativity, and leadership," said Netflix's co-CEO, Ted Sarandos. “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.”
Bajaria joined Netflix in 2016, after a stint at NBCUniversal, where she was president of Universal Television. She produced shows for Netflix, including “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and “Master of None”. Sarandos initially brought her on board to establish Netflix's unscripted division, as well as oversee licensing and studio co-productions.
Promoted to head of global in 2020 and later named chief content officer in January 2023, Bajaria was responsible for popular series such as “Bridgerton,” “Squid Game,” “Adolescence,” “Beef,” “Stranger Things,” and “Wednesday”, as well as films like “KPop Demon Hunters” and “Frankenstein”. She also led Netflix into live sports and events, including “The Roast of Tom Brady”, and secured deals with the NFL and WWE.
Under her leadership, Netflix's original programming faced challenges as the streamer's growth slowed down, with fewer awards and less buzz around its shows.