Description of the Business	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of the Business	Description of the Business BuzzFeed, Inc. (referred to herein, collectively with its subsidiaries, as “BuzzFeed,” the “Company,” “our,” “us,” or “we”) is home to the best of the Internet. Across entertainment, news, food, pop culture, and commerce, our brands drive conversation and inspire what audiences watch, read, and buy now — and into the future. The Company’s iconic, globally-loved brands include BuzzFeed, HuffPost, and Tasty. BuzzFeed derives its revenue primarily from advertising, content, and commerce and other sold to leading brands. The Company has one reportable segment. On December 3, 2021, we consummated a business combination (the “Business Combination”) with 890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc. (“890”), certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of 890, and BuzzFeed, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy BuzzFeed”). In connection with the Business Combination, we acquired 100% of the membership interests of CM Partners, LLC. CM Partners, LLC, together with Complex Media, Inc., is referred to herein as “Complex Networks.” Following the closing of the Business Combination, 890 was renamed “BuzzFeed, Inc.” Additionally, pursuant to subscription agreements entered into in connection with the entry into the merger agreement pursuant to which the Business Combination was consummated, the Company issued, and certain investors purchased, $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination. The Company repurchased approximately $120.0 million of the Notes in 2024. Additionally, the Company repurchased approximately $0.3 million of the Notes on February 25, 2025, leaving approximately $29.7 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 31, 2025. Refer to Note 8 herein for additional details. Liquidity and Going Concern The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of the date the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were issued (the “issuance date”), the significance of the following adverse conditions were evaluated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presence of the following risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s financial condition may adversely affect the Company’s ability to sustain its operations over the next 12 months beyond the issuance date. Since its inception, the Company has generally incurred significant losses and used net cash flows from operations to grow its owned and operated properties and its iconic brands. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company incurred a net loss of $12.5 million and generated net cash flows from its operations of $1.3 million. Additionally, as of March 31, 2025, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $34.3 million to fund its operations, and an accumulated deficit of $634.5 million. As described in Note 8 herein, the Company repurchased approximately $120.0 million of the Notes in 2024, and the Company repurchased approximately $0.3 million of the Notes on February 25, 2025, leaving approximately $29.7 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 31, 2025. As described in Note 8 herein, each holder of a Note has the right under the indenture governing the Notes to require the Company to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of the Notes held by such holder (i) at any time on or after May 31, 2025, at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, due within five business days of receipt of the holder’s notes requiring repurchase, or (ii) upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the Notes) before the maturity date (i.e., December 3, 2026), at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. On February 28, 2024, the Company amended the indenture governing the Notes to provide that, among other things, 95% of the net proceeds of future asset sales must be used to repay the Notes. In the event some or all of the holders of the Notes exercise their put rights, the Company currently does not have sufficient cash on hand or projected cash flows to fund the potential put. The Company’s failure to comply with the provisions of the indenture governing the Notes, including the Company’s failure to repurchase the Notes, as required by the indenture governing the Notes, could trigger an event of default under the indenture governing the Notes, which would allow the holders of Notes to accelerate the maturity of the Notes and require the Company to repay the Notes prior to their maturity. To address its capital needs, the Company has entered into a non-binding term sheet with a potential lender for an asset-backed term loan (the “Loan”), with an expected commitment amount of up to $40.0 million and a three-year term. The term sheet provides that the Company and the lender will aim to close this Loan by May 23, 2025, and, in conjunction with any closing, the Company will incur certain legal and other debt issuance fees. Proceeds from the Loan, if it were to close, would be used to repurchase the remaining Notes. However, the Company can provide no assurance that it will be successful in closing the Loan, obtaining other new financing, or, if the Loan fails to close, in generating sufficient cash inflows from operations or otherwise to fund its obligations as they become due over the next 12 months beyond the issuance date. The Company may implement incremental cost savings actions and pursue additional sources of outside capital to supplement its funding obligations as they become due, which includes additional offerings of its Class A common stock under the at-the-market offering (refer to Note 9 herein for additional details), or other issuances of Class A common stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our Class A common stock. However, as of the issuance date, no additional sources of outside capital have been secured or were deemed probable of being secured (the aforementioned Loan term sheet is non-binding), other than the Company’s at-the-market-offering, which is subject to the conditions contained in the At-The-Market Offering Agreement dated June 20, 2023 with Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC. The Company can provide no assurance it will successfully generate sufficient liquidity to fund its operations for the next 12 months beyond the issuance date, or if necessary, secure additional outside capital (including through the Company’s at-the-market-offering), or implement incremental cost savings. Moreover, on an ongoing basis, the Company is evaluating strategic changes to its operations, including asset divestitures, restructurings, or the discontinuance of unprofitable lines of business. Any such transaction could be material to the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. The nature and timing of any such changes depend on a variety of factors, including, as of the applicable time: the Company’s available cash, liquidity, and operating performance; its commitments and obligations; its capital requirements; limitations imposed under its credit arrangements; and overall market conditions. As of the issuance date, the Company continues to work with its external advisors to optimize its condensed consolidated balance sheet and evaluate its assets. These uncertainties raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates that it will be able to realize assets and settle liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

BuzzFeed, Inc. (referred to herein, collectively with its subsidiaries, as “BuzzFeed,” the “Company,” “our,” “us,” or “we”) is home to the best of the Internet. Across entertainment, news, food, pop culture, and commerce, our brands drive conversation and inspire what audiences watch, read, and buy now — and into the future. The Company’s iconic, globally-loved brands include BuzzFeed, HuffPost, and Tasty. BuzzFeed derives its revenue primarily from advertising, content, and commerce and other sold to leading brands. The Company has one reportable segment.

On December 3, 2021, we consummated a business combination (the “Business Combination”) with 890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc. (“890”), certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of 890, and BuzzFeed, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy BuzzFeed”). In connection with the Business Combination, we acquired 100% of the membership interests of CM Partners, LLC. CM Partners, LLC, together with Complex Media, Inc., is referred to herein as “Complex Networks.” Following the closing of the Business Combination, 890 was renamed “BuzzFeed, Inc.”

Additionally, pursuant to subscription agreements entered into in connection with the entry into the merger agreement pursuant to which the Business Combination was consummated, the Company issued, and certain investors purchased, $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination. The Company repurchased approximately $120.0 million of the Notes in 2024. Additionally, the Company repurchased approximately $0.3 million of the Notes on February 25, 2025, leaving approximately $29.7 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 31, 2025. Refer to Note 8 herein for additional details.

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of the date the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were issued (the “issuance date”), the significance of the following adverse conditions were evaluated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presence of the following risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s financial condition may adversely affect the Company’s ability to sustain its operations over the next 12 months beyond the issuance date.

Since its inception, the Company has generally incurred significant losses and used net cash flows from operations to grow its owned and operated properties and its iconic brands. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company incurred a net loss of $12.5 million and generated net cash flows from its operations of $1.3 million. Additionally, as of March 31, 2025, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $34.3 million to fund its operations, and an accumulated deficit of $634.5 million.

As described in Note 8 herein, the Company repurchased approximately $120.0 million of the Notes in 2024, and the Company repurchased approximately $0.3 million of the Notes on February 25, 2025, leaving approximately $29.7 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as of March 31, 2025. As described in Note 8 herein, each holder of a Note has the right under the indenture governing the Notes to require the Company to repurchase, for cash, all or a portion of the Notes held by such holder (i) at any time on or after May 31, 2025, at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, due within five business days of receipt of the holder’s notes requiring repurchase, or (ii) upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the Notes) before the maturity date (i.e., December 3, 2026), at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

To address its capital needs, the Company has entered into a non-binding term sheet with a potential lender for an asset-backed term loan (the “Loan”), with an expected commitment amount of up to $40.0 million and a three-year term. The term sheet provides that the Company and the lender will aim to close this Loan by May 23, 2025, and, in conjunction with any closing, the Company will incur certain legal and other debt issuance fees. Proceeds from the Loan, if it were to close, would be used to repurchase the remaining Notes. However, the Company can provide no assurance that it will be successful in closing the Loan, obtaining other new financing, or, if the Loan fails to close, in generating sufficient cash inflows from operations or otherwise to fund its obligations as they become due over the next 12 months beyond the issuance date. The Company may implement incremental cost savings actions and pursue additional sources of outside capital to supplement its funding obligations as they become due, which includes additional offerings of its Class A common stock under the at-the-market offering (refer to Note 9 herein for additional details), or other issuances of Class A common stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our Class A common stock. However, as of the issuance date, no additional sources of outside capital have been secured or were deemed probable of being secured (the aforementioned Loan term sheet is non-binding), other than the Company’s at-the-market-offering, which is subject to the conditions contained in the At-The-Market Offering Agreement dated June 20, 2023 with Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC. The Company can provide no assurance it will successfully generate sufficient liquidity to fund its operations for the next 12 months beyond the issuance date, or if necessary, secure additional outside capital (including through the Company’s at-the-market-offering), or implement incremental cost savings.

Moreover, on an ongoing basis, the Company is evaluating strategic changes to its operations, including asset divestitures, restructurings, or the discontinuance of unprofitable lines of business. Any such transaction could be material to the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. The nature and timing of any such changes depend on a variety of factors, including, as of the applicable time: the Company’s available cash, liquidity, and operating performance; its commitments and obligations; its capital requirements; limitations imposed under its credit arrangements; and overall market conditions. As of the issuance date, the Company continues to work with its external advisors to optimize its condensed consolidated balance sheet and evaluate its assets.

These uncertainties raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates that it will be able to realize assets and settle liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.