Women Executives Shaping the Streaming Industry Through Content, Technology, Business Strategy, Operations, and Global Audience Growth
Streaming has changed how people consume content. A TV show no longer needs a fixed time slot; movies no longer need a theatre release. With a few clicks, viewers can watch content from almost anywhere in the world.
Behind this change are executives who decide what viewers watch and how platforms grow. Women are taking important roles across this space. Their work covers content, technology, business, operations, and OTT platforms. The progress is clear, though the industry still has a gender gap.
Women Making Their Mark Across Streaming
The streaming industry is much bigger than the shows and movies viewers see on their screens. Content teams, technology experts, business leaders, and operations teams all play a part in keeping these services running.
Bela Bajaria
Bela Bajaria is Netflix’s Chief Content Officer. She supervises the television and film content for the streaming giant across different countries and languages. Her work includes some of Netflix’s biggest shows, such as Stranger Things, Wednesday, Bridgerton, Squid Game, Lupin, and Adolescence. Her role also covers live content, including Netflix’s deals with the NFL and WWE.
Cindy Holland
Cindy Holland has played an important role in Netflix’s original content journey. She spent 18 years at the company and helped build its original programming business. Her teams worked on popular titles such as House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, Stranger Things, The Crown, Ozark, and The Queen’s Gambit.
Holland later moved into a senior role at Paramount following the Paramount-Skydance deal. She became Chair of Direct-to-Consumer, with responsibility for services including Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
Amber Hillner
Amber Hillner represents an important part of streaming that viewers rarely consider important. Her career has focused on digital video operations and production. She has held senior roles at NBCUniversal and worked on digital workflows, asset management, automation, and other systems used in video production.
Lisa Knutson
Lisa Knutson brings experience in business and operations. She has held senior roles at E.W. Scripps and became president of the company’s national networks business. Her work included networks such as ION, Bounce, Court TV, Grit, and Laff. She also became Chief Operating Officer in 2023.
Knutson’s career reflects the changing nature of television. Traditional networks are now dealing with viewers who also use streaming services, free ad-supported platforms, and other digital options.
Julie Choi
Julie Choi made history in South Korea’s OTT market when CJ ENM appointed her CEO of TVING in 2023. She became the first woman to lead a South Korean OTT company as CEO. Her earlier career included strategy, marketing, sales, technology, and business roles. She also worked at Disney Korea around the launch of Disney+ in the country.
The Road Ahead is Still Difficult
The growing number of women in senior media roles is encouraging. Overall, the numbers show there is still a long road ahead. The Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film reported that women accounted for 24% of creators of original US streaming programs in 2025-26. That figure was 36% a year earlier. Women directors also accounted for 22%, down from 32% in the previous year.
The gap is also evident in management. Deloitte’s 2025 global research found that women held 35.4% of management positions worldwide. Streaming itself has become a difficult business. Platforms are fighting for viewers while dealing with rising costs and changing viewing habits. Deloitte found in 2025 that 47% of surveyed consumers felt they were paying too much for streaming services. Another 41% said the content available was not worth the price.
For women executives, these scenarios are challenging to manage. They have to manage teams and budgets while keeping up with new technology and changing viewer habits. The industry also needs to create more opportunities for women to move into senior positions.
Women Can Help Shape Streaming’s Next Chapter
The future of streaming will depend on much more than popular shows. Technology, live entertainment, advertising, global content, and business strategy will all play a role.
The gender gap remains a challenge, especially in senior creative and management roles. Giving more women access to leadership opportunities can help the industry make better use of its talent as streaming continues to change.
