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Netflix film chief Dan Lin resigns days after chief content officer departs
In short
Netflix said film division head Dan Lin is resigning, according to Korean outlets citing Reuters and other foreign media on 19 October (US time). Chief content officer Peter Rice, who took the post on 15 October, will also oversee film until a successor is named. The exit comes as Netflix cuts about 1,000 jobs and faces questions over slowing growth.
Why it matters
Two senior content leaders have left Netflix within a week, during job cuts and investor concern about viewing growth. Dong-A Ilbo said the new leadership now faces the task of producing big hits like K-pop Demon Hunters on a regular basis. Netflix reports third-quarter results after the market close on 20 October.
Key facts
- Netflix film division head Dan Lin is resigning, according to a company statement reported by Reuters on 19 October (US time). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Lin is credited with leading production of K-pop Demon Hunters, which won an Academy Award, and with strengthening Netflix's feature animation strategy. [ 1 ]
- Chief content officer Bela Bajaria resigned on 15 October and was succeeded by Peter Rice, who will also run the film division until Lin's successor is chosen. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Netflix announced on 14 October that it would cut about 1,000 jobs, around 6% of its global staff. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Lin took over Netflix's film division in April 2024 from Scott Stuber. [ 3 ]
- Netflix's share of US TV viewing in July was 7.8%, down 1 percentage point from a year earlier. [ 1 ]
- Netflix is due to report third-quarter results after the market close on 20 October. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Dan Lin, head of Netflix's film division, resigned, according to a statement from Netflix. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Peter Rice replaced Bela Bajaria as chief content officer after her 15 October resignation and will also lead the film division until a successor to Lin is named. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Netflix is cutting about 1,000 jobs, roughly 6% of its staff. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Why Lin is leaving. Dong-A Ilbo said no specific reason was disclosed, but that Vulture reported Lin was dismissed last weekend. The other documents describe a resignation, and the Vulture report is not confirmed by them.
- Who will succeed Lin permanently. Documents say only that Rice will cover film until a successor is decided.
- When the job cuts were announced. Yonhap says Netflix announced the cuts on 14 October; Dong-A Ilbo says only that Netflix began the restructuring last week.
What local media are saying
Official sourcesYonhap, citing Reuters, reported the resignation as part of a run of senior departures at Netflix amid slowing growth and viewer loss. It cited a media analyst, co-CEO Ted Sarandos's admission that growth is slower than the company wants, a lower US TV share and Bloomberg's view that costly original films failed to generate buzz.
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