Netflix Names Peter Rice Chief Content Officer

Netflix said Thursday that Bela Bajaria is leaving the company and Peter Rice will succeed her as chief content officer. Rice is expected to begin the role the following week; he will oversee content strategy, including series, films and live events, from October 26, the company said in an internal memo, according to Reuters. Bajaria joined Netflix in 2016 and became chief content officer in January 2023. Her departure follows nearly a decade at the streaming service. Netflix did not provide a reason for her exit in the announcement, and the available information does not establish that the company’s growth or engagement concerns prompted the change. Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-chief executive, praised Bajaria’s work in a memo to staff, crediting her with broadening the company’s programming, expanding unscripted content and helping launch live events and sports. He also said Netflix had an opportunity to take its content slate to the next level, particularly in the United States. Sarandos said recently that the company was not growing as quickly as he wanted. Rice has held senior roles in television and film at Fox and Disney. He served as chairman of Walt Disney Television...