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Netflix Fires Its Content Boss Amid 1,000 Layoffs — Disney Castoff Peter Rice Steps In
Bela Bajaria is out after a decade at Netflix as the streamer's stock sinks nearly 40% over the past year. Film chief Dan Lin's job may be next on the chopping block.
Netflix ousted Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria on Monday after a decade at the streamer, replacing her with Peter Rice — the former Disney content chief fired by then-CEO Bob Chapek in 2022 — in a shake-up that lands alongside roughly 1,000 job cuts across the company's film and television divisions.
Rice, who previously ran Fox Searchlight Pictures and is described by Hollywood insiders as erudite and well-liked by talent, takes over as chief content officer effective October 26, overseeing Netflix's scripted and unscripted series, films and live events globally. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos thanked Bajaria in a statement, saying he was "incredibly grateful for everything she's done to help Netflix entertain the world."
Lin's fate now rests with his new boss
The restructuring's broader toll included Doug Belgrad, film chief Dan Lin's own second-in-command, among roughly 1,000 employees laid off. Lin himself was reportedly also a candidate for dismissal in the same purge, but multiple outlets reported that decision was deferred to Rice rather than made immediately. Former Warner Bros. executives Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy are said to be circling Lin's job should he ultimately be pushed out, according to reporting from TheWrap.
INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING SHE'S DONE TO HELP NETFLIX ENTERTAIN THE WORLD
The shake-up lands at a vulnerable moment for Netflix: the company's stock price has fallen nearly 40% compared with a year ago, and subscriber engagement grew just 2% in the first half of 2026 — modest numbers for a company that has leaned on constant content turnover to keep viewers hooked. Reports of friction between Lin and marquee filmmakers have swirled for months, including director David Fincher's decision to walk away from his Netflix deal after reported budget clashes with Lin over a planned sequel project.
Netflix declined to comment on the specifics of Lin's status when reports first surfaced, and the company has not said whether further leadership changes are coming. For now, Rice inherits a content operation trying to prove, management shuffle aside, that the next hit is still coming.