Highlights:
The report raises a key question: Was Bajaria asked to step down, or did she resign? According to Page Six, Netflix announced that she was leaving after nearly a decade at the company and named former Disney television executive Peter Rice as her replacement. However, the report describes her departure as a firing, not a voluntary resignation. It does not establish whether Netflix formally asked her to resign before announcing the change.
A source familiar with the events told Page Six that Bajaria “got blindsided.” Although she was aware of rumors about her future, she had reportedly been reassured in recent weeks that her job was safe.
What happened before the announcement?
According to Page Six, Netflix laid off around 1,000 employees on Wednesday, with Bajaria reportedly asked to help communicate the cuts. She also attended company town halls and meetings, reassuring employees during the layoffs, unaware that her own departure was imminent.
The timing drew criticism from people in Hollywood, with one source telling Page Six that the company could have handled the decision more directly.
Netflix announced the leadership change on Thursday, October 15, with Rice set to take over the content chief role. The news had reportedly surfaced earlier through Puck.
Bajaria had served as Netflix’s chief content officer since 2023, after joining the company in 2016. Her responsibilities included overseeing a global content operation and expanding the platform’s programming across markets.
Why is Netflix changing its content leadership?
Bajaria’s exit comes as Netflix faces questions about its next phase of growth. Page Six cited industry sources who pointed to concerns about subscriber engagement, the company’s stock performance, its unsuccessful bid to acquire Warner Bros. and the challenge of finding its next major hit.
Some industry figures questioned whether Bajaria alone should be held responsible for those pressures, arguing that programming decisions involve multiple executives. Others described her as a possible scapegoat amid wider business challenges. These are sources’ assessments, not an established explanation for Netflix’s decision.
During Bajaria’s tenure, Netflix broadened its programming strategy, expanding into unscripted shows, live events, sports and other formats. The company also continued to build its international operations and pursue productions across markets.
However, the streaming landscape has become more competitive, while Netflix has faced departures among prominent creative talent. The leadership change may therefore signal a shift in the company’s approach to programming and its relationships with filmmakers and producers.
Who is replacing Bela Bajaria?
Peter Rice, the former chairman of Walt Disney Television and a senior Fox executive, is taking over the role. His appointment has been welcomed by some Hollywood figures, according to Page Six, with supporters describing him as an experienced executive with strong creative relationships.
WME’s Robert Newman praised the appointment in comments to Page Six, predicting that Rice would attract leading storytellers and performers to Netflix.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos thanked Bajaria for her decade of work in a statement, crediting her with expanding the company’s content offering and helping launch live events and sports alongside its global film and television slate.
Was she asked to resign?
Based on the Page Six report, the clearest answer is that Bajaria was reportedly fired, rather than choosing to resign. The report does not provide evidence that she was given the option to quit, nor does it detail any negotiations over her departure.
Her exit leaves questions about Netflix’s next content strategy and whether further leadership changes could follow. For now, Rice’s appointment marks a significant shift at a company navigating a more demanding streaming market.
