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Inside the brutal firing of Netflix content boss Bela Bajaria - 'she got blindsided'
Page Six • • business
Key Points:
- Bela Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer for nearly 10 years, was unexpectedly fired at 5 p.m. Wednesday before a VIP screening, despite being reassured her job was secure in recent weeks.
- Bajaria was involved in conducting layoffs of 1,000 Netflix employees on the same day she was let go, and her replacement, former Disney TV head Peter Rice, was announced shortly after.
- Industry insiders criticized Netflix's handling of Bajaria's departure, suggesting she was made a scapegoat amid financial struggles and a failed Warner Bros. acquisition, despite her significant contributions to globalizing Netflix's content.
- Bajaria's tenure saw Netflix win the streaming wars and expand into new content genres, but recent declines in subscriber engagement, talent departures, and lack of major hits raised concerns about the company's direction.
- Peter Rice, praised for his maturity and creative taste, is expected to bring renewed discipline and attract top talent to Netflix, signaling a strategic shift in leadership amid ongoing industry challenges.
