The Coca-Cola Company has officially appointed Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, to its Board of Directors, an addition that elevates the board’s membership to twelve and promises fresh strategic insights from one of the media industry’s most influential figures. Known for her dynamic leadership and global vision, Bajaria’s appointment is effective immediately.
In her role as Chief Content Officer, Bajaria commands a substantial annual budget of $17 billion and is pivotal to Netflix’s worldwide television and film production. Reporting directly to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Bajaria is a key member of the streaming giant’s leadership team. Under her direction, Netflix has expanded its reach in innovative programming, including live content and strategic sports partnerships, as demonstrated by the company’s recent deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to bring the popular weekly program “Raw” to its global subscriber base. Furthering her impact on Netflix’s portfolio, she also secured exclusive rights to NFL Christmas Day games through 2026, underscoring her role in broadening Netflix’s appeal in the live sports arena.
Commenting on her appointment, Coca-Cola’s Chairman and CEO, James Quincey, praised Bajaria’s expertise, stating, “Bela brings a wealth of experience in global business, from building and leading teams to setting strategy. Her deep background in media also promises to provide our board and leadership with valuable perspective as Coca-Cola continues to evolve and strengthen its marketing model.” Coca-Cola, with its vast, global consumer base, continues to focus on advancing its branding strategy across diverse media channels, a direction where Bajaria’s expertise is expected to make a significant impact.
Bajaria’s journey to this influential position is marked by her achievements at Netflix and her longstanding career in the entertainment industry. Before her current role, she led Netflix’s Global TV division, shaping both English and local-language scripted and unscripted series that captivated audiences worldwide. The list of series launched under her leadership includes cultural phenomena like “Squid Game,” “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Bridgerton,” “La Casa de Papel,” and “Cobra Kai.” Since joining Netflix in 2016, Bajaria has been instrumental in scaling its content library to resonate with a vast and diverse audience.
Her career prior to Netflix includes senior executive roles at CBS Entertainment and NBCUniversal. At CBS, Bajaria served as Senior Vice President, overseeing the company’s cable studio, while at NBCUniversal, she held the title of President of Universal Television. Notably, she played a crucial role in reviving Universal Television, transforming the previously shuttered studio into a major production force.
Bajaria’s influence extends beyond Netflix and her board appointment. Her achievements have received extensive industry recognition, reinforcing her status as a key leader in global entertainment.