Netflix Names Bela Bajaria as New Head of Global TV
September 08 2020 - 10:12PM
Dow Jones News
By Joe Flint
In a major shake-up at Netflix Inc., Bela Bajaria has been put
in charge of global television and Cindy Holland, a key architect
of the streaming giant's original content strategy, is leaving, the
company said Tuesday.
In her new role, Ms. Bajaria will oversee all original series
for Netflix around the globe. Ms. Bajaria, who joined Netflix in
2016, had previously been in charge of unscripted programming and
international content, the latter of which has become a priority
for Netflix over the past several years.
The restructuring of the unit essentially leap frogged Ms.
Bajaria over Ms. Holland who has been at Netflix for nearly 20
years and now finds herself without a role. Ms. Holland was
instrumental in developing and greenlighting much of Netflix's
original content including shows such as "House of Cards," "Orange
is the New Black" and "Stranger Things."
The moves come just weeks after Netflix Chief Content Officer
Ted Sarandos became a co-chief executive of the company along with
Reed Hastings. Mr. Sarandos wanted to put all of television under
one executive similar to the way the company's film operations are
run.
"Since becoming co-CEO, I've wanted to simplify the way our
content teams operate - with one global film team led by Scott
Stuber and one for TV, which will now be led by Bela Bajaria. Since
joining Netflix in 2016, Bela has demonstrated her versatility and
creativity - building out our unscripted team and helping to take
our local language slate, which is increasingly important for our
members, to the next level," Mr. Sarandos said in a memo.
The decision to jettison Ms. Holland, whose record was admired
throughout the entertainment industry, stunned many in Hollywood.
"These kinds of changes are never easy, and I am enormously
grateful to Cindy Holland for everything she has done over the last
18 years at Netflix," Mr. Sarandos said.
Ms. Holland couldn't be reached for comment. In a statement she
said, she "loved every moment" at the company.
Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 08, 2020 21:57 ET (01:57 GMT)
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