Netflix Appoints Peter Rice as New Chief Content Officer
Netflix has appointed former Disney executive Peter Rice as its new chief content officer, replacing Bela Bajaria after a decade at the company. The move comes amid stagnating viewership and ongoing efforts to revitalize engagement through expanded content offerings such as live sports and unscripted programming. Bajaria oversaw major hits like 'Stranger Things' and 'Squid Game,' while also steering Netflix's $20 billion annual content budget and its foray into live events. Rice, with a background in television production at Disney and Fox, brings experience across scripted shows, theatrical distribution, and streaming platforms. The leadership change follows recent layoffs of 1,000 employees—Netflix’s largest workforce reduction since 2022—and comes as the company prepares to report third-quarter earnings. Analysts suggest that Bajaria's exit may signal ongoing challenges in user engagement.
Topics: Content strategy Leadership change Streaming industry
Part of the story Bela Bajaria Leaves Netflix as Chief Content Officer (3 articles)