Bajaria Exiting Netflix As Ex-Disney Leader Will Direct Content

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. — He’s considered by Netflix to be “one of the entertainment industry’s most respected creative executives.”

That’s why this former Chairman of Walt Disney Television will soon join the streaming video Goliath as its next Chief Content Officer, effective October 26.

While the naming of Peter Rice is news enough, social media was ablaze late Thursday with the news that he’s replacing Bela Bajaria, who is leaving Netflix after nearly 10 years and most recently led the company’s global content team.

“I want to thank Bela for a decade of dedication, innovation, creativity and leadership,” said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix. “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.”

As Chief Content Officer, Rice will lead Netflix’s global content organization, overseeing scripted and unscripted series, film, live events and more across all regions.

“Peter is one of the most effective at-scale operators in the entertainment industry,” Sarandos said. “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.”

For Rice, “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.”

Rice was most recently Chairman of Walt Disney Television and Chairman of General Entertainment for The Walt Disney Company. There, he oversaw ABC, FOX Broadcasting, Fox Sports, ABC News, ABC Studios, Disney Channel, Freeform, FX Networks, Hulu, National Geographic, Onyx Collective, Disney Television and Twentieth Century Fox Television.

Programs under his leadership include The Simpsons, American Idol, Modern Family, This Is Us, The Bear, Abbott Elementary, and Only Murders in the Building — a big statement for Netflix, which since the conclusion of Stranger Things has arguably lacked a huge churn-crushing franchise; Squid Game saw a lackluster response to its second season after a strong debut.

Rice’s resume also includes roles as President of 21st Century Fox and CEO of Fox Networks Group. Before that, he was President of Fox Searchlight Pictures, releasing such heralded works as Slumdog Millionaire, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine and Sideways. As Executive Vice President of Production at Twentieth Century Fox, he worked with Baz Luhrmann on Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet.