Netflix's Head of Global TV, Bela Bajaria has reorganized the streamer’s U.S. TV operation prioritizing overall deals. "We’re really fortunate that we already have many talented executives internally with important leadership roles, so that gives us the time to find the right people for these positions," Bajaria said. "I’m keeping an open mind and hoping to find new perspectives and points of view."
The realignment also enhances the portfolios of some of the executives within the dicision. Bajaria took up her new role in September with a remit across both English and non-English-language series, prompting a series of departures including Cindy Holland and Channing Dungey. The U.S. streamlining includes the closing of the Young Adult/Family series department whose duties will be absorbed by the Drama and Comedy teams, with the consolidation leading up to the departures of fewer than 10 members of the series content team below the VP level.
The domestic reorganizations consists of Brian Wright leading original series and general deals. Wright will lead this new team, including Netflix’s agreements with Ryan Murphy, The Duffer Brothers, and 21 Laps. Wright’s previous position heading up YA/Family series will now be consolidated into the drama and comedy teams. Bajaria has named Peter Friedlander head of spectacle/event TV, focusing on high-concept drama series with high production values, like “The Three-Body Problem,” “Black Mirror” and “Narcos.”
Andy Weil will serve as Head of Comedy and is currently searching for a fullwhile Brandon Reigg remains head of unscripted. A head of US series is being sought following the exit of VP of original content Holland, with that role leading the US-focused execs. Until that person is appointed, Reigg, Wright, Friedlander, Howe, and Radford report into Bajaria.
Former Sky exec Anne Mensah remains in charge of UK series, while Korean originals chief Minyoung Kim will also serve as Southeast Asia and Australia/New Zealand content. VP of Japan/Hong Kong/Taiwan and anime John Derderian will continue to report into Bajaria, as will VP of India Monika Shergill. Francisco Ramos remains VP of Latin America originals. Larry Tanz has been appointed head of Europe, Middle East, and African local language original series, with Anne Mensah remaining in charge of the U.K. series. Meanwhile, Kelly Luegenbiehl, the former boss of EMEA local language is now head of global franchises, including “The Witcher” and its spinoff series.
The changes resulted in Ted Sarandos' promotion to from chief content officer to Netflix’s co-CEO in July. He has sought to streamline the content team and grow the company’s global subscriber base as the US market reaches a subscriber saturation point. Since then, several experts have departed from the company, such as Nina Wolarksy, Netflix’s VP of original series for drama, and president of originals Jane Wiseman.