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Bela Bajaria becomes only Indian-American on ‘Changemakers 2024’ list
Born in London, she immigrated to the United States as a child. Her path to Hollywood began in 1996 when she landed an assistant role at CBS after a letter-writing campaign to studios.
Bela Bajaria / Linkedin
Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, has been recognized on The Wrap’s prestigious list of “Changemakers 2024”, becoming the only Indian-American woman honored in the fifth edition of this accolade. The list celebrates 51 women who have “shaped industries, inspired change, and broken barriers” over the past year.
In 2023, she was named in Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women in the World 2023 list along with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
At 53, Bajaria commands one of the largest content budgets in the entertainment industry, overseeing a staggering $17 billion for global programming in 50 languages. Her role includes managing Netflix’s slate of nearly 500 films and original series annually, produced across 27 countries.
Describing her contributions, The Wrap highlighted her instrumental role in redefining television in the 21st century, calling the scope of her influence “unprecedented”. Under her leadership, Netflix has delivered a string of groundbreaking hits, including Squid Game, Bridgerton, and Wednesday. In 2024 alone, the platform earned 24 Emmys for acclaimed titles such as Baby Reindeer, Ripley, and Blue Eye Samurai.
Born in London, Bajaria immigrated to the United States as a child. Her path to Hollywood began in 1996 when she landed an assistant role at CBS after a letter-writing campaign to studios. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming vice president of movies and miniseries. She later transitioned to Universal Television, becoming the first woman of color to lead the studio. Joining Netflix in 2016 to head unscripted content and licensing, she ascended to her current role in 2023, solidifying her position as one of the industry’s most influential figures.
Even as Netflix faces slowing subscriber growth, the company has seen a 15 percent revenue increase to $9.8 billion in the third quarter of 2024. Bajaria’s strategic oversight played a crucial role, with audience favorites like Rebel Ridge and Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story achieving over 1.7 billion viewing minutes shortly after release.
Reflecting on her journey from a nine-year-old immigrant to a powerhouse media executive, Bajaria’s story underscores the transformative power of opportunity and ambition. The Wrap succinctly captured her impact: “Her vision has been instrumental in redefining the television experience in the 21st century.”
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