Netflix film chief Dan Lin has left the company, becoming the latest senior executive to depart after Netflix announced plans to cut about 1,000 jobs. The move underscores the streaming platform’s continued effort to reshape its content operations and control costs.
Netflix confirmed Lin’s departure in a statement and said Chief Content Officer Peter Rice will oversee the film division until a permanent successor is appointed. Rice is a veteran Hollywood executive who previously held senior roles at Disney and Fox. He took over as chief content officer after Bela Bajaria left the position.
Dan Lin’s push to reduce film costs
Lin joined Netflix in 2024 as head of film, with a mandate to bring greater cost discipline to movie production while broadening the range of content. He was appointed after his predecessor, Scott Stuber, had pursued substantial investment in high-budget films.
During Lin’s tenure, Netflix reduced large upfront payments to actors, cut staff and reorganized its film team. Projects under his division included the Oscar-winning “KPop Demon Hunters,” the sequel “Happy Gilmore 2” and “Frankenstein.”
The executive change follows one of Netflix’s largest layoffs in recent years. The company cut about 1,000 employees last week, or roughly 6% of its global workforce, marking its biggest round of job reductions since 2022. That year, Netflix reported its first subscriber loss in more than a decade, prompting renewed scrutiny of its growth model and the efficiency of its content spending.
Slower engagement adds pressure on Netflix
Netflix is facing several operating challenges. Growth in user engagement has slowed, while the company’s shares have fallen more than 40% over the past year. At the same time, free, ad-supported streaming services led by YouTube continue to expand, while short-form and social video compete for viewers’ time.
Netflix has also increased its focus on podcasts and content creators in recent months as it looks to expand its content library. The company has been exploring formats such as video podcasts as it seeks additional programming beyond traditional film and television production.
Netflix plans to report third-quarter results after the U.S. market closes on October 20. Investors will be watching subscriber growth, user engagement, advertising and content-cost controls. Following the departure of its film chief and the large-scale layoffs, management’s explanation of how it is balancing content strategy with operating efficiency will be a key part of the earnings discussion.