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Netflix Names Peter Rice Chief Content Officer, Succeeding Bela Bajaria: Netflix has announced the departure of Bela Bajaria, its global content chief, after nearly a decade with the streaming giant, naming veteran entertainment executive Peter Rice as her successor. Rice will assume the role of Chief Content Officer on October 26, 2026, leading Netflix’s worldwide content organisation across scripted and unscripted programming, films, live events and other entertainment offerings.
The leadership change marks a significant transition for Netflix as it continues to expand its global entertainment portfolio and compete in an increasingly crowded streaming market.
Bajaria most recently led Netflix’s global content team, overseeing programming across international markets and helping shape the company’s strategy as it broadened its offerings beyond traditional films and television series.
Ted Sarandos Credits Bela Bajaria With Transforming Netflix Content
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos thanked Bajaria for her contribution to the company over nearly 10 years, highlighting her leadership, creativity and role in expanding the platform’s entertainment offerings.
Sarandos said Bajaria helped drive the expansion of unscripted programming and the introduction of live events and sports, alongside the development and management of Netflix’s global slate of films and television series.
He credited her with helping Netflix evolve its content strategy to serve audiences across different markets and entertainment preferences.
Bajaria’s departure comes after a period in which streaming platforms have increasingly diversified their programming, competing not only through original scripted content but also through reality television, live entertainment, sports and other formats designed to attract and retain subscribers.
Peter Rice Takes Charge of Netflix’s Global Content Strategy
Rice brings extensive experience across television, film production, broadcasting and entertainment management.
Before joining Netflix, he served as Chairman of Walt Disney Television and Chairman of General Entertainment for The Walt Disney Company. His responsibilities covered a broad portfolio of businesses, including ABC, FX Networks, Hulu, Disney Channel, Freeform, National Geographic, ABC News, ABC Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Television.
During his tenure, the organisation oversaw more than 300 shows and approximately 4,000 hours of television programming annually.
Projects associated with his leadership included The Simpsons, American Idol, Modern Family, This Is Us, The Bear, Abbott Elementary, Shōgun and Only Murders in the Building. His portfolio also encompassed news programming and major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, NBA Finals and FIFA World Cup Finals.
Disney received 147 Primetime Emmy nominations in 2022 and 146 in 2021 during his leadership period.
Sarandos described Rice as an experienced entertainment executive with strong business acumen, extensive relationships with creative talent and a broad understanding of television and film production.
He said Rice understands how to identify stories that connect with audiences and has spent his career helping creative professionals deliver their best work.
From 21st Century Fox to Disney and Netflix
Rice previously served as President of 21st Century Fox and Chief Executive Officer of Fox Networks Group, where he also represented Fox on Hulu’s board.
Earlier in his career, he was President of Fox Searchlight Pictures, the specialty film studio behind acclaimed productions including Slumdog Millionaire, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine and Sideways.
As Executive Vice President of Production at Twentieth Century Fox, Rice worked with prominent filmmakers, including Baz Luhrmann on Moulin Rouge! and Romeo + Juliet, and Danny Boyle on The Beach. He also served as supervising creative executive on the first X-Men film.
His career spans independent cinema, major studio productions, broadcast television and streaming-related businesses, giving him experience across several segments of the entertainment industry.
Rice graduated from the University of Nottingham in 1989. He has also served on the boards of the Motion Picture & Television Fund and the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Rice Praises Bajaria’s Global Content Legacy
In his statement announcing the appointment, Rice acknowledged Bajaria’s work in building Netflix’s global content organisation and expressed his intention to build on the foundation established by her and the wider team.
He noted that Netflix has changed how stories are produced, distributed and experienced around the world, adding that the company has demonstrated a willingness to support distinctive creative voices and new ideas.
Rice said he looked forward to working with the Netflix team to bring more compelling stories to audiences internationally.
His appointment signals continuity in Netflix’s emphasis on global storytelling while bringing in an executive whose background includes large-scale television operations, film development and relationships with established creative talent.
What the Leadership Change Means for Netflix
The appointment comes as streaming services compete for audience attention through original programming, international productions, live events and differentiated entertainment offerings.
Netflix has expanded well beyond its original subscription video-on-demand model, investing in reality and unscripted programmes, live events and sports-related content. Managing these diverse offerings across international markets requires coordination between creative development, production, distribution and commercial strategy.
Rice’s experience overseeing extensive television portfolios at Disney and Fox could prove relevant as Netflix continues to manage a broad range of content formats and production partnerships.
His new responsibilities will include overseeing scripted and unscripted series, films and live events across all regions, placing him at the centre of the company’s programming decisions.
For Netflix, the transition also highlights the importance of leadership in a business where creative decisions directly influence audience engagement, brand identity and competition for premium entertainment rights.
A New Chapter for Netflix’s Global Entertainment Business
Bajaria’s departure closes a significant chapter in Netflix’s content leadership, following nearly 10 years during which the company expanded its programming mix and international ambitions.
Rice now takes responsibility for guiding the next phase of the platform’s global content strategy, drawing on experience across major television networks, film studios and entertainment businesses.
As he assumes the role on October 26, industry attention will focus on how Netflix balances established franchises with new creative voices, strengthens its international programming and continues to expand into live entertainment.
