Netflix Replaces Content Chief Bela Bajaria With Peter Rice
The streaming company also cut about 1,000 jobs, roughly 6% of its workforce, with unscripted casting and development executives among those affected.
Netflix has replaced Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria with Peter Rice, a former Disney and Fox executive, according to Anime News Network. The change at the top of the company's content operation came on October 19, 2026.
Alongside the leadership switch, Netflix laid off about 1,000 employees, roughly 6% of its workforce. The cuts included executives from the unscripted casting and development team.
Rice takes over the content role from Bajaria, who had led the division as Chief Content Officer. Netflix did not disclose further details of the transition in the information reported.
The restructuring follows a period of change in the company's leadership. Co-founder Reed Hastings left Netflix in June 2026, having stepped down as co-CEO in January 2023 to become executive chairman, with Greg Peters appointed co-CEO alongside Ted Sarandos.
Ongoing ties with anime studios
Netflix has continued to build partnerships with animation producers. In April 2026 it formed a strategic partnership with anime studio MAPPA, making it the exclusive worldwide streamer for a number of future MAPPA original anime titles, building on earlier alliances announced with Japanese studios in 2018, 2019 and October 2022.
Quick answers
Who is Netflix's new Chief Content Officer?
Peter Rice, a former Disney and Fox executive, replaced Bela Bajaria as Chief Content Officer.
How many Netflix employees were laid off?
About 1,000 employees, roughly 6% of the workforce, including executives from the unscripted casting and development team.