Peter Rice will become Netflix’s chief content officer on October 26. He replaces Bela Bajaria, who is leaving after nearly a decade and most recently led the company’s global content team. Rice will oversee scripted and unscripted series, films, live events and other programming across all regions.
Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos credited Bajaria with expanding unscripted programmes, live events and sports, alongside the company’s global film and series slate. Rice thanked her for the team she built and said he looked forward to building on its work. Netflix did not give a reason for her departure in its announcement.
Rice previously chaired Walt Disney Television and Disney General Entertainment. His responsibilities there included ABC, FX, Hulu, Disney Channel and National Geographic. Before that, he led Fox Searchlight Pictures, whose releases during his tenure included Slumdog Millionaire, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine and Sideways. Netflix has appointed an executive with a long record across both film and television to lead the whole content organisation.