Entertainment
BuzzFeed Sells “Hot Ones” Studio in Landmark Deal
BuzzFeed has officially sold First We Feast, the studio behind the wildly popular “Hot Ones” YouTube series, for $82.5 million in a strategic move that reshapes the digital media landscape.
The Deal Breakdown
The investor group includes several notable players:
- Sean Evans (Hot Ones host)
- Chris Schonberger (First We Feast founder)
- Soros Fund Management
- Crooked Media
- Mythical Entertainment (Rhett & Link’s company)
Key Highlights
- First We Feast will operate as an independent multimedia company
- Sean Evans will continue hosting “Hot Ones” and become Chief Creative Officer
- Chris Schonberger will serve as CEO
- The studio boasts 14 million YouTube subscribers and over 4 billion views
Strategic Implications
BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti emphasized the sale as a critical step in the company’s evolution, positioning it to “capitalize on the ongoing AI revolution.” The transaction will help reduce the company’s debt from $124 million to approximately $30 million.
Future Plans
First We Feast plans to expand into:
- New digital platforms
- Live events
- Talent acquisitions
With the show approaching its 10th anniversary in 2025, “Hot Ones” continues to be a cultural touchpoint, featuring celebrities like Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, and Ariana Grande.
As Sean Evans aptly stated, “The future is spicy, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
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