Podcast Strategy: Netflix Hires Ex-Apple Exec to Lead Acquisitions

Netflix announced on Monday that it has hired Steve Wilson to direct the acquisition of new podcast content. The move signals a continued push to expand the streamer's audio offerings, which now number more than 60 video podcasts.

Wilson will serve in a contract capacity. His new role focuses on securing rights and developing relationships with podcasters and networks. This follows a career that included 15 years at Apple, where he most recently managed marketing for Apple Podcasts. He departed Apple in December 2020. Since then, Wilson has served as chief strategy officer at podcast studio QCode and later at Daylight Media.

The company has been building this library steadily. Recent additions include the true-crime series Murder With My Husband and the talk show The Pete Davidson Show. The lineup also features Shut Up Evan, hosted by Evan Ross Katz, and The Puzzle Room With David Kwong. NBC News correspondent Ellison Barber contributes to Allegedly, another entry in the catalog.

Wilson joins the company during a period of major internal restructuring. Netflix announced layoffs affecting 6% of its workforce approximately two weeks ago. That reduction eliminated about 1,000 jobs. The cuts primarily targeted employees in product, technology, legal, and human resources teams.

Co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters sent an email to staff explaining the decision. They stated that the mission to entertain the world is ambitious. They noted that achieving this goal requires discipline in prioritizing people and resources. The memo indicated that the company is making difficult choices to maintain its trajectory.

The personnel changes extend beyond entry-level roles. Several senior executives have departed, including chief content officer Bela Bajaria. Dan Lin, the head of film, and his deputy Doug Belgrad also left. Carolina Garcia, the director of original series, was among those who exited. Peter Rice, a veteran television executive, has taken over Bajaria's responsibilities as chief content officer.

During the Q3 2026 earnings call, Sarandos addressed the leadership shifts on the content side. He acknowledged that the company could perform better in that area. He said the team wants to build on the momentum they have already created.