Bela Bajaria is quitting Netflix as chief content officer. She will be replaced by former Disney and Fox executive Peter Rice. The current shake-up has affected about 1,000 employees or 6% of the workforce which has been laid off.
Netflix described Indian Bela Bajaria’s departure as a leadership change rather than a dismissal. It comes as the streaming platform faces pressure to produce bigger hits and for sustained viewer engagement.
Netflix boss Ted Sarandos, who had credited Bajaria with transforming its global content operation, has indicated that the company wants to improve its programming slate, particularly in the US and Canada. Sarandos was reportedly concerned about the falling popularity of Netflix and lack of hit shows.
Bela Bajaria, who became head of global television at Netflix in 2020 and chief content officer in January 2023, was responsible for such global hits as Squid Game, Bridgerton, Beef, Adolescence, Lupin, Cobra Kai, KPop Demon Hunters and Frankenstein. She was also responsible for Netflix’s expansion into live events and sports.
Bela also promoted locally rooted stories and expanded Netflix’s Indian-language slate with shows like Indian Matchmaking, Delhi Crime and Mismatched.