Netflix Names Peter Rice As Chief Content Officer
Netflix has appointed former Disney executive Peter Rice as its new chief content officer, replacing Bela Bajaria, who is leaving after a decade at the company. Rice will oversee film, television, unscripted programming and live events, as Netflix says it wants to strengthen its content slate, particularly in the US and Canada.
Rice starts on 26 October. His previous full-time role was chairman of Walt Disney Television and general entertainment; he was dismissed in 2022. Before that, he led Fox Searchlight, and in 2025 was named head of ceremonies and content for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Netflix credited Bajaria with expanding its global content operation, unscripted shows, live events and sports, as well as helping shape its film strategy.
- Peter Rice replaces Bela Bajaria as Netflix’s chief content officer.
- He will oversee all film, television and live content.
- Netflix says it aims to raise the impact of its content slate.
New here? Start with this
Netflix is a streaming service that commissions and distributes films, television programmes and other entertainment in many countries. Its content chief oversees what the company makes and buys, and helps decide which kinds of programmes to prioritise.
Peter Rice has held senior roles at Fox Searchlight and Walt Disney Television, while Bela Bajaria has led Netflix’s content operation for about a decade. Their work sits within a highly competitive entertainment industry, where streaming services seek to attract and keep subscribers with a wide range of programmes.
Netflix’s choices affect which stories and events reach audiences, and how much it invests in different types of content. The role also covers markets such as the US and Canada, alongside the company’s international programming.