Wendy Lee
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Reporter at the Los Angeles Times covering digital media. Former tech reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle.
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Articles by Wendy Lee
Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria exits amid major layoffs
Netflix on Thursday replaced one of its top executives in a major management shake-up that came a day after the company announced it was laying off 6% of its staff. Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is leaving the company, where she has worked for a decade, Netflix said in a statement.
After nearly buying Warner Bros., Netflix is laying off 1,000 workers. What happened?
LOS ANGELES (TNS) — It was a crowning moment. Netflix appeared to have prevailed in an audacious$82.7 billion deal to scoop one of the industry’s most prestigious studios: Warner Bros. The move seemed to cement Netflix’s status as the ultimate Hollywood gate-crasher and its dominance as the leading new player in media. Now, nearly a year later, the plotline for Netflix has dramatically changed. The streaming giant lost out to Paramount Skydance in its bid for Warner Bros.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria exits amid major layoffs
LOS ANGELES, CA -SEPTEMBER 08, 2021: Bela Bajaria, the global head of TV at Netflix, is photographed at their headquarters in Los Angeles. Bajaria was promoted into the position last year and joined Netflix in 2016. Previously, she was president at Universal Television. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Netflix on Thursday announced its Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is leaving the company, one day after the streamer began laying off 6% of its staff.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria exits amid major layoffs
LOS ANGELES, CA -SEPTEMBER 08, 2021: Bela Bajaria, the global head of TV at Netflix, is photographed at their headquarters in Los Angeles. Bajaria was promoted into the position last year and joined Netflix in 2016. Previously, she was president at Universal Television. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Netflix on Thursday announced its Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is leaving the company, one day after the streamer began laying off 6% of its staff.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria exits amid major layoffs
Netflix on Thursday announced its Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is leaving the company, one day after the streamer began laying off 6% of its staff. Bajaria oversaw the teams responsible for Netflix content around the world. She joined Netflix in 2016 and was named chief content officer in 2023. She was instrumental in expanding Netflix's reach internationally and the streamer's push into live events. Netflix named former Disney executive Peter Rice as Bajaria's replacement.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria exits amid major layoffs
LOS ANGELES, CA -SEPTEMBER 08, 2021: Bela Bajaria, the global head of TV at Netflix, is photographed at their headquarters in Los Angeles. Bajaria was promoted into the position last year and joined Netflix in 2016. Previously, she was president at Universal Television. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Netflix on Thursday announced its Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is leaving the company, one day after the streamer began laying off 6% of its staff.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria exits amid major layoffs
Netflix on Thursday announced its Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is leaving the company, one day after the streamer began laying off 6% of its staff. Bajaria oversaw the teams responsible for Netflix content around the world. She joined Netflix in 2016 and was named chief content officer in 2023. She was instrumental in expanding Netflix’s reach internationally and the streamer’s push into live events. Netflix named former Disney executive Peter Rice as Bajaria’s replacement.
After nearly buying Warner Bros., Netflix is laying off 1,000 workers. What happened?
It was a crowning moment. Netflix appeared to have prevailed in an audacious $82.7-billion deal to scoop one of the industry's most prestigious studios: Warner Bros. The move seemed to cement Netflix's status as the ultimate Hollywood gate-crasher and its dominance as the leading new player in media. Now, nearly a year later, the plotline for Netflix has dramatically changed. The streaming giant lost out to Paramount Skydance in its bid for Warner Bros.
Netflix plans substantial layoffs, sources say
Netflix plans a substantial round of layoffs as the streaming giant faces rising competition and pressure to retain its subscribers, according to people familiar with the job cuts. The cuts are expected to affect 5% of the company's workforce, which could be 800 employees, according to one of the sources who was not authorized to comment. The job losses will affect the creative team including those working on features, the source said. Netflix declined to comment.
Netflix plans substantial layoffs, sources say
Netflix plans a substantial round of layoffs as the streaming giant faces rising competition and pressure to retain its subscribers, according to people familiar with the job cuts. The cuts are expected to impact 5% of the company's workforce, which could be 800 workers, according to one of the sources who were not authorized to comment. The job losses will affect the creative team including those working on features, the source said. Netflix declined to comment.
Joe Rogan renews multimillion-dollar podcast deal with Spotify
LOS ANGELES — Spotify on Thursday said it renewed its deal with Joe Rogan, who leads the audio company’s most popular podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience.” Rogan’s podcast, which has 18 million followers on Spotify, has been the company’s top podcast since 2020. The terms of the multiyear licensing deal were not disclosed. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported the deal had an estimated earn out of $250 million.
Joe Rogan renews multimillion-dollar podcast deal with Spotify
LOS ANGELES (TNS) — Spotify on Thursday said it renewed its deal with Joe Rogan, who leads the audio company’s most popular podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience.” Rogan’s podcast, which has 18 million followers on Spotify, has been the company’s top podcast since 2020. The terms of the multiyear licensing deal were not disclosed. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported the deal had an estimated earn out of $250 million. kAm“%96 A2CE?6CD9:A H:E9 $A@E:7J 92D 366? 2?
Joe Rogan renews multimillion-dollar podcast deal with Spotify
LOS ANGELES - Spotify on Thursday said it renewed its deal with Joe Rogan, who leads the audio company's most popular podcast "The Joe Rogan Experience." Rogan's podcast, which has 18 million followers on Spotify, has been the company's top podcast since 2020. The terms of the multiyear licensing deal were not disclosed. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported the deal had an estimated earn out of $250 million.
Joe Rogan renews multimillion-dollar podcast deal with Spotify
Joe Rogan stands in the octagon at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles after the light heavyweight bout between Alonzo Menifield of the United States and Iwo Baraniewski of Poland on Sept. 19.(Luke Hales / Getty Images) Spotify on Thursday said it renewed its deal with Joe Rogan, who leads the audio company’s most popular podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience.” The podcast, which has 18 million followers on Spotify, has been the company’s top podcast since 2020.
Joe Rogan renews multimillion-dollar podcast deal with Spotify
Follow Joe Rogan renews multimillion-dollar podcast deal with Spotify Thu, October 8, 2026 at 12:37 PM EDT Joe Rogan stands in the octagon at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles after the light heavyweight bout between Alonzo Menifield of the United States and Iwo Baraniewski of Poland on Sept. 19.
Funko nearly went under. This former Netflix executive has a plan to revive the popular doll maker
1 day ago If you came of age in the 80s or 90s, chances are you remember Toys R Us, the international toy retailer with the anthropomorphic giraffe for a mascot and the catchiest jingle in the business. "I don't wanna grow up, I wanna be a Toys R Us kid." Well, the truth of the matter is we did grow up, and …
Funko nearly went under. This former Netflix executive has a plan to revive the popular doll maker
For many celebrities, getting a Funko Pop! doll modeled after themselves is a sign they've made it in Hollywood. The 4-inch vinyl "Pop!" figurines, with their oversize heads and black dot eyes, symbolize being ingrained in pop culture — objects fans buy, celebrate and display.
Meet the Netflix executive who helps decide what 325 million people watch next
LOS ANGELES — After Brian Koppelman and David Levien wrapped their hit Showtime series "Billions," the co-creators were undecided about where they would go next. A more than hourlong visit from a Netflix executive settled it. Netflix had been developing a Las Vegas drama with Martin Scorsese, who is executive producing through his Sikelia Productions. The streamer brought in Koppelman and Levien, and the pair pitched a present-day casino story.
Meet the Netflix executive who helps decide what 325 million people watch next
LOS ANGELES - After Brian Koppelman and David Levien wrapped their hit Showtime series "Billions," the co-creators were undecided about where they would go next. A more than hourlong visit from a Netflix executive settled it. Netflix had been developing a Las Vegas drama with Martin Scorsese, who is executive producing through his Sikelia Productions. The streamer brought in Koppelman and Levien, and the pair pitched a present-day casino story.
Meet the Netflix executive who helps decide what 325 million people watch next
LOS ANGELES - After Brian Koppelman and David Levien wrapped their hit Showtime series "Billions," the co-creators were undecided about where they would go next. A more than hourlong visit from a Netflix executive settled it. Netflix had been developing a Las Vegas drama with Martin Scorsese, who is executive producing through his Sikelia Productions. The streamer brought in Koppelman and Levien, and the pair pitched a present-day casino story.
DOJ seeks more information on $22 billion Roku deal after Trump blasts ouster of Fox News host
Fox Corp.'s $22 billion acquisition of San Jose-based Roku, operator of streaming services and seller of hardware devices, seemed like a straight-forward deal when it was announced in June: A growing media company was looking to bolster its presence in the fast-growing streaming industry. But, on Wednesday, the Trump administration weighed in. Fox Corp.
Justice Department seeks more information on $22-billion Roku deal after Trump blasts ouster of Fox News host
The Department of Justice has requested additional information from Fox about its planned acquisition of Roku. Above, Roku's headquarters in San José.(Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) Fox Corp.’s $22-billion acquisition of San José-based Roku, operator of streaming services and seller of hardware devices, seemed like a straightforward deal when it was announced in June: A growing media company was looking to bolster its presence in the fast-growing streaming industry.
Hollywood studios have sued over AI. Now Google is courting them to use its tools
Executives of Mountain View, Calif.-based Google have approached representatives at Disney, Universal, Warner Bros. Discovery and other studios about licensing intellectual property to be used in AI models, sources say. Click here to listen to this article This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here. See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. Set us as preferred Google is quietly courting Disney, Universal, Warner Bros.
Hollywood studios have sued over AI. Now Google is courting them to use its tools
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times LOS ANGELES — Tech giant Google has been quietly making overtures to the major studios as it tries to find ways to entice Hollywood to use its artificial intelligence technology. Google executives have approached representatives at Disney, Universal, Warner Bros.
What Ryan Murphy’s, Harry and Meghan’s deals say about state of Hollywood
A few years ago, it seemed every week there was a new eight- to nine-figure deal between a high-profile writer-producer and a Hollywood studio or streaming service. kAm%96D6 =F4C2E:G6 A24ED >256 A6@A=6 =:<6 $9@?52 #9:>6D[ #J2? |FCA9J 2?5 y]y] p3C2>D 6DD6?E:2==J :?\9@FD6 AC@5F46CD 7@C 6?E6CE2:?>6?E 4@>A2?:6D E92E H6C6 :? 2? 2C>D C246 E@ =@4< 5@H? E@A\E:6C E2=6?E 7@C E96 DEC62>:?8 H2CD]k^Am kAmtG6? A6@A=6 H:E9 =:>:E65 E@ ?@ 6IA6C:6?46 :? 6?E6CE2:?>6?E D64FC65 C:49 562=D 32D65 =2C86=J @?
Lawmakers patch a hole in California's film tax credit, for now
LOS ANGELES - State lawmakers have approved a series of modest changes intended to bolster California's film and TV tax credit program. Among the key revisions, independent filmmakers would be exempted from the $5 million state corporate tax credit cap that was approved earlier this year as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom's state budget.
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