Netflix names Peter Rice chief content officer, replacing Bela Bajaria

Netflix announced on October 15 that Peter Rice will become chief content officer on October 26, replacing Bela Bajaria after nearly a decade at the company. The appointment puts Rice in charge of the global organization responsible for Netflix’s series, films and live events; his start date is still ahead.

The announcement confirms a change that had previously been described as an expected replacement in NewsJaws’ coverage of Bajaria’s exit. Rice’s appointment now has a company announcement and a scheduled effective date.

What Peter Rice will oversee at Netflix

Netflix said Rice will lead its global content organization across regions, with responsibility for scripted and unscripted series, film and live events. That remit brings several of the company’s major programming areas under the incoming chief content officer. Business Insider described the job as overseeing Netflix’s movies and shows from October 26.

Co-CEO Ted Sarandos credited Bajaria with expanding Netflix’s unscripted programming, launching live events and sports, and overseeing a global film and series slate. Her departure therefore changes leadership across work that Netflix says will fall within Rice’s portfolio, including the live programming Bajaria helped develop.

Rice’s previous roles and the wider shake-up

Rice previously oversaw Disney entertainment, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The outlet reported that he was ousted from Disney in 2022 and joined the LA28 Olympics group in 2025 to oversee content. Those roles give context to his move into a Netflix job spanning filmed entertainment and live events, although Netflix has announced his remit rather than a change in programming strategy.

The leadership change follows job cuts at Netflix. CNBC reported that the company had instituted layoffs the day before the appointment announcement, affecting approximately 6% of its workforce, or roughly 1,000 jobs. Variety also reported around 1,000 layoffs that week and identified film executives Doug Belgrad and Sheroum Kim among those affected. Netflix’s announcement names Rice as Bajaria’s successor; it does not give a reason for her departure.