Netflix content chief Bela Bajaria exits after a decade

Netflix's top programmer is out. Bela Bajaria, the company's Chief Content Officer, has left the streamer, as reported by Deadline.

The news broke on 15 October 2026, about a day after Netflix laid off around 1,000 employees. Ten years at the company. Gone in a headline.

No successor has been confirmed by Netflix. Puck reported that former Disney executive Peter Rice is in line to replace Bajaria, according to that same Deadline report. That is a report, not an appointment.

Bajaria joined Netflix on 1 Nov. 2016 as vice-president, Content, to run its unscripted television slate. She arrived from Universal TV, where she had been president. She replaced the departing Sean Carey.

Her remit grew fast. In March 2019 she was tapped to lead international non-English TV originals. In 2020 she became global head of television after Cindy Holland departed in a consolidation that left no role for Holland in the new structure. In January 2023 she was named Chief Content Officer, meaning she oversaw the teams behind all Netflix series and films.

That 2023 promotion came in a wider reshuffle. Netflix named Greg Peters as co-chief executive alongside Ted Sarandos. Scott Stuber became chairman of film.

Only days before the exit, Bajaria was still speaking as content chief. A Variety interview published on 12 October billed her as Netflix's content chief discussing global storytelling. She described her super power as hiring really great people and letting them lead.

In October 2024 she had also defended Netflix's cost-plus model, where a producer is paid the cost of production plus a set fee, saying the streamer was not looking to move away from it.

For viewers, little changes overnight. Ordered shows keep their slots and crews keep their call times. But the person who signs off on commissions, renewals and cancellations has changed, and that decision shapes which stories get finished.