Rice named Netflix Chief Content Officer

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Rice named Netflix Chief Content Officer
October 16, 2026



Netflix has announced that Peter Rice, the former Chairman of Walt Disney Television, will join the streaming company as Chief Content Officer, effective October 26th. He replaces Bela Bajaria, who is leaving Netflix after nearly 10 years, most recently leading the global content team.

“I want to thank Bela for a decade of dedication, innovation, creativity and leadership,” commented Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix. “She led enormous changes at Netflix. She helped broaden our content offering to include the large-scale expansion of unscripted programming and the launches of live events and sports, in addition to crafting and running a world-class, global slate of films and series. I’m incredibly grateful for everything she’s done to help Netflix entertain the world.”


As Chief Content Officer, Rice will lead Netflix’s global content organisation, overseeing scripted and unscripted series, film, live events and more across all regions.

“Peter is one of the most effective at-scale operators in the entertainment industry. His business acumen is sharp, his talent relationships are exceptionally strong, and his experience across TV and film is deep and broad,” continued Sarandos. “He understands what makes stories resonate, and he’s spent his career helping talent do the best work of their lives. I’m excited to welcome him to Netflix as Chief Content Officer as we continue to scale and deliver members more of the stories they love.”

“Netflix has fundamentally changed the way stories are made, shared and experienced around the world,” added Rice. “They’ve shown again and again that they’re willing to take chances on distinctive voices and fresh ideas, and I’m excited to work with the team to help bring even more great stories to members everywhere. I’m grateful to Bela for building such a remarkable global team, and I look forward to building on everything she and the team have created.”

Rice was most recently Chairman of Walt Disney Television and Chairman of General Entertainment for The Walt Disney Company. There, he oversaw ABC, FOX Broadcasting, Fox Sports, ABC News, ABC Studios, Disney Channel, Freeform, FX Networks, Hulu, National Geographic, Onyx Collective, Disney Television and Twentieth Century Fox Television. He also chaired the boards of A&E Networks and National Geographic Partners. Earlier, Rice was President of 21st Century Fox and CEO of Fox Networks Group, and Fox’s lead executive on the Hulu board. Before that, he was President of Fox Searchlight Pictures.

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Peter Rice replaces Bela Bajaria as Netflix content chief
October 16, 2026 11.04 Europe/London By Julian Clover


Netflix has appointed former Disney and Fox executive Peter Rice as Chief Content Officer, succeeding Bela Bajaria, amid concerns about the performance of some of its shows.

Some returning programmes attracted smaller audiences for their second seasons. While co-CEO Ted Sarandos acknowledged at September’s Bloomberg Screentime conference that growth was below his expectations.

Rice takes up the role on October 26, overseeing Netflix’s global content organisation across scripted and unscripted series, films and live events.

Sarandos highlighted Rice’s operational experience, relationships with talent and background across television and cinema.

“He understands what makes stories resonate, and he’s spent his career helping talent do the best work of their lives,” said Sarandos.

Rice previously held senior leadership positions at Disney and 21st Century Fox, including Chairman of Walt Disney Television and CEO of Fox Networks Group. Earlier, he led Fox Searchlight Pictures, whose releases included Slumdog Millionaire, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine and Sideways.

Rice said he looked forward to developing Netflix’s global content offering, praising its willingness to support distinctive creative voices.

Sarandos thanked Bajaria for broadening Netflix’s programming, including its expansion in unscripted content and entry into live events and sport.

Bajaria joined Netflix in 2016 and became Chief Content Officer in January 2023. Her tenure included major successes such as Bridgerton and Squid Game, alongside live programming partnerships with WWE and the NFL.

The leadership change was announced on October 15, a day after Netflix told employees it would cut approximately 6% of its global workforce, equivalent to around 1,000 jobs.