Netflix Content Head Bela Bajaria Calls Public Firing a “Liberating” Career Turning Point
Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, shared a candid reflection on how being fired from her previous job at Universal Television became a pivotal turning point in her career. Speaking at the 2025 Changemakers Summit in Los Angeles, Bajaria recounted the painful experience of her public dismissal and how it ultimately shaped her journey into one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry today.
Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, shared a candid reflection on how being fired from her previous job at Universal Television became a pivotal turning point in her career. Speaking at the 2025 Changemakers Summit in Los Angeles, Bajaria recounted the painful experience of her public dismissal and how it ultimately shaped her journey into one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry today.
Before joining Netflix in 2016, Bajaria was dismissed from her role as president of Universal Television, a position she had held for five years. Despite overseeing strong creative achievements and building relationships with notable talents like Tina Fey and Mike Schur, her firing came as a “big public failure,” as Bajaria described it.
Reflecting on this time in her career, Bajaria admitted that it was difficult, both professionally and emotionally. “The first three months were really rough,” she said, recalling the struggle with questioning her worth despite the success she had achieved. “I treated people so fairly. We had a lot of success — it meant nothing,” she recalled thinking at the time.
However, as the months passed, Bajaria’s perspective began to shift. The support she received from colleagues and the industry reinforced her value in the industry. “I quickly realised, as the phone rang and I got job offers and everybody reached out and people were really supportive, it all mattered,” Bajaria shared. The response, she added, made her realize that the way she treated people and the impact she had in her previous role were what truly mattered.
The experience, which she initially saw as a failure, became a profound learning opportunity. “In retrospect, I am so grateful that it happened,” Bajaria said. “I’m not scared of getting fired. It’s very liberating, actually.”
Today, Bajaria’s leadership at Netflix has helped the streaming giant expand its content offerings, including live events, sports, and globally successful original shows like Bridgerton and Emily in Paris. Netflix’s awards success under her leadership speaks volumes, with the platform earning 107 nominations across 35 projects at both the Oscars and the Emmys in the previous year— the highest for any studio.
Bajaria’s reflection serves as a reminder that setbacks, while difficult, can lead to incredible growth. Her experience highlights the importance of resilience and the impact of treating others with kindness and respect, no matter the circumstances.
Sources By Agencies
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