Bela Bajaria named VP on Content for Netflix

SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Four months after she was sacked as the well-liked president of Universal Television, Bela Bajaria is headed to Netflix as the company’s new VP of Content.

Bajaria, who will replace Sean Carey, Netflix’s VP of Global Television, will begin her new role on Nov. 1. She’ll be charged with leading the team focused on TV and film licensing from U.S. studios as well as co-production relationships with U.S. networks. She also will oversee a new team charged with developing original unscripted programs for Netflix. Bajaria will report directly to Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos. Her role is completely separate from VP of Original Content Cindy Holland’s department.

“Bela is a great creative television executive with broad experience and deep industry relationships,” Sarandos said in a statement. “Having worked closely with her on Master of None and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, we know we have found the perfect executive to lead this new effort.”

The switch comes just as Netflix are refining its content licensing deals and moving away from traditional ownership into co-production and development partnerships with studios and networks. The streaming giant boarded CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Discovery series and did the same with TNT’s The Alienist, which hails from Paramount TV, as well as ABC’s Designated Survivor, which is produced by Entertainment One. The move allows Netflix to share global windows for popular series with their original broadcasters, ensuring early financing on pricey projects. The strategy bolsters Netflix’s original scripted series, films and comedy specials.

“I am looking forward to joining Netflix, an innovative company that supports creative vision and fosters risk-taking,” said Bajaria, who developed Netflix’s critically acclaimed comedy starring Indo Aziz Ansari. “Having worked closely with Ted, Cindy and the team, I know they are great creative partners and care deeply about the experience of talent, their partners and their members. They are a dynamic group and I’m looking forward to continue building new partnerships at Netflix with amazing talent and studio and network colleagues.”