Skip to main content

BuzzFeed, Inc.

For the period ended Jun 30, 2025. Filed Aug 7, 2025.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Jun 30, 2025 · Filed Aug 7, 2025

BZFD$0.46-15.8%Stored close · as of Nov 10, 2026

Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.

See the whole filing, with its images and exhibits

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited, tabular amounts and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

  1. 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 hasone 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 and the remaining $30.0 million of Notes in 2025, resulting in the full redemption of the Notes. Refer to Note 8 herein for additional details.

Liquidity

The Company previously disclosed conditions that raised substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern, which was due to the holders of the Notes having the ability to require the Company to repurchase all of the Notes then-outstanding, for cash, at any time on or after May 31, 2025. As disclosed in Note 8 herein, in May 2025, the Company secured a $40.0 million asset-backed term loan and used a portion of the proceeds to repay, in full, the Notes. As a result of these efforts, and due to expected cash flows from operations over the next 12 months, the substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern was resolved as of the date of issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements (the “issuance date”).

As of and for the six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $29.7 million. However, the Company has a history of losses, and had an accumulated deficit of $645.4 million as of June 30, 2025. The Company has cash available on hand, and believes its existing capital resources will be sufficient to support the Company’s operations and meet its obligations as they become due within one year from the issuance date.

Additionally, the Company may implement incremental cost savings actions (such as the announced reduction in workforce plan; refer to Note 19 herein for additional details) 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, 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.

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.

  1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Financial Statements and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. As such, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and these related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year ended December 31, 2025.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BuzzFeed, Inc., and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reverse Stock Split

The Company held its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders on April 25, 2024 (the “2024 Annual Meeting”), and, at the 2024 Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved the grant of discretionary authority to the Company’s board of directors to (1) amend the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), to combine outstanding shares of each of the Company’s Class A common stock and the Company’s Class B common stock into a lesser number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, as the case may be, at a specific ratio within a range of one-for-two (1-for-2) to a maximum of a one-for-twenty five (1-for-25), with the exact ratio to be determined by the Company’s board of directors in its sole discretion; and (2) effect such reverse stock split, if at all, within one year of the date the proposal was approved by the Company’s stockholders (i.e., by April 25, 2025).

The Company’s board of directors subsequently approved effecting a reverse stock split, effective as of May 6, 2024, and fixed a ratio for the reverse stock split at one-for-four (1-for-4). On April 26, 2024, the Company filed an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate of Amendment”). The Certificate of Amendment effected a reverse stock split of the Class A common stock and Class B common stock at a ratio of one-for-four (1-for-4) (the “Reverse Stock Split”), effective as of 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 6, 2024. The Class A common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on Nasdaq on May 6, 2024, under the existing symbol “BZFD,” but the security has a new CUSIP number of 12430A300. The Public Warrants (as defined in Note 4 herein) continued to be traded under the symbol “BZFDW,” and the CUSIP identifier for the Public Warrants remains unchanged.

As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every four shares of the Company’s Class A common stock and the Company’s Class B common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split were converted into one share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, as the case may be, after the Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split applied uniformly to all holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, and did not alter any stockholder’s percentage interest in the Company, except to the extent that the Reverse Stock Split would have resulted in some stockholders owning a fractional share. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split, as all fractional shares were rounded up to the nearest whole share. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the Public and Private Warrants, fractional shares of Class A common stock will not be issued upon exercise of a warrant, and if a holder of a warrant would be entitled to receive, upon the exercise thereof, a fractional interest in a share of Class A common stock, the Company will round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued to such holder.

Unless otherwise noted, all shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, including shares of Class A common stock underlying the Public Warrants and Private Warrants (as defined in Note 4 herein), stock options, restricted stock units, shares of Class A common stock available for grant under the Company’s equity incentive plans, shares of Class A common stock sold and available for sale under the Company’s at-the-market offering, and all conversion ratios, exercise prices, and per share information with respect thereto in the condensed consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the one-for-four (1-for-4) Reverse Stock Split, as if the split occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Discontinued Operations and Held for Sale

A business is classified as held for sale when management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the business, the sale is probable to occur during the next 12 months at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and when certain other criteria are met. A business classified as held for sale is recorded at the lower of (i) its carrying amount and (ii) estimated fair value less costs to sell. When the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value less costs to sell, a loss is recognized and updated each reporting period as appropriate.

The results of operations of businesses classified as held for sale are reported as discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results. When a business is identified for discontinued operations reporting: (i) results for prior periods are retrospectively reclassified as discontinued operations; (ii) results of operations are reported in a single line, net of tax, in the condensed consolidated statement of operations; and (iii) assets and liabilities are reported as held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheets in the period in which the business is classified as held for sale.

The Company concluded the assets of the Complex Networks business, excluding the First We Feast brand, met the criteria for classification for held for sale as of December 31, 2023. Additionally, the Company determined the ultimate disposal, which took place on February 21, 2024 (i.e., the “Complex Disposition”), represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. Moreover, the Company concluded the assets of the First We Feast business met the criteria for classification for held for sale as of December 1, 2024. Additionally, the Company determined the ultimate disposal, which took place on December 11, 2024 (i.e., the “First We Feast Disposition”), represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on our operations and financial results. As such, the results of Complex Networks and First We Feast are presented as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. Refer to Note 18 herein for additional details.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported results of operations during the reporting period. Due to the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Key estimates and assumptions relate primarily to revenue recognition, valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of fixed assets, and capitalized software costs.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. The Company considers instruments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits with financial institutions and investments in money market funds. Deposits held with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. The associated risk of concentration is mitigated by banking with creditworthy institutions.

Accounting Pronouncements

The Company, an emerging growth company (“EGC”), has elected to take advantage of the benefits of the extended transition period provided for in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act, as amended, for complying with new or revised accounting standards which allows the Company to defer adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which is intended to enhance the transparency, decision usefulness, and effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in this ASU require a public entity to disclose a tabular tax rate reconciliation, using both percentages and currency, with specific categories. A public entity is also required to provide a qualitative description of the states and local jurisdictions that make up the majority of the effect of the state and local income tax category and the net amount of income taxes paid, disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes, and also disaggregated by individual jurisdictions. The amendments also remove certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial. The amendments are effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and early adoption and retrospective application are permitted. The Company will adopt this standard with its 2025 annual filing, and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses,” which requires companies to disclose disaggregated information of certain expense captions presented on the face of the income statement within continuing operations that include following expense categories, as applicable: (1) purchases of inventory, (2) employee compensation, (3) depreciation, (4) intangible amortization, and (5) depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A”) recognized as part of oil-and gas-producing activities. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Companies have the option to apply the guidance either on a retrospective or prospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

  1. Revenue Recognition

Disaggregated Revenue

The table below presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated based on the nature of its arrangements. Management uses these categories of revenue to evaluate the performance of its businesses and to assess its financial results and forecasts.

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2025202420252024
Advertising$22,589$23,188$43,976$44,132
Content10,6996,98515,12313,720
Commerce and other13,10610,94223,31620,272
Total$46,394$41,115$82,415$78,124

The following table presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated by geography:

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2025202420252024
Revenue:
United States$43,019$38,389$75,818$71,676
International3,3752,7266,5976,448
Total$46,394$41,115$82,415$78,124

Contract Balances

The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections can result in billed accounts receivable, unbilled receivables, unbilled revenue (contract assets), and deferred revenues (contract liabilities). The payment terms and conditions within the Company’s contracts vary by the type; the substantial majority require that customers pay for their services on a monthly or quarterly basis, as the services are being provided. When the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of payments made by customers, the Company recognizes either unbilled revenue (its performance precedes the billing date and payment is conditional on something other than the passage of time) or deferred revenue (customer payment is received in advance of performance). The Company records an unbilled receivable when revenue is recognized and it has an unconditional right to consideration and only the passage of time is required to receive the consideration. Unbilled receivables are presented within accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the Company determined its contracts generally do not include a significant financing component.

The Company’s contract assets are presented in prepaid and other current assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and totaled $8.7 million and $4.5 million as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. These amounts relate to revenue recognized during the respective period that is expected to be invoiced and collected in future periods.

The Company’s contract liabilities, which are recorded in deferred revenue on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, are expected to be recognized as revenues during the succeeding 12-month period. Deferred revenue totaled $2.3 million and $0.6 million as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The amount of revenue recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2025 that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2024 was $0.5 million.

Variable Consideration

The Company estimates whether it will be subject to variable consideration under the terms of the contract and includes its estimate of variable consideration, subject to constraint, in the transaction price based on the expected value method when it is deemed probable of being realized based on historical experience and trends. The Company updates its estimate of the transaction price each reporting period and the effect of variable consideration on the transaction price is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis.

  1. Fair Value Measurements

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

June 30, 2025
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds$19,292$—$—$19,292
Total$19,292$—$—$19,292
Liabilities:
Other non-current liabilities:
Public Warrants$789$—$—$789
Private Placement Warrants—6—6
Total$789$6$—$795
December 31, 2024
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds$16,345$—$—$16,345
Total$16,345$—$—$16,345
Liabilities:
Other non-current liabilities:
Public Warrants$1,765$—$—$1,765
Private Placement Warrants—13—13
Total$1,765$13$—$1,778

The Company’s investments in money market funds are measured at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

The Company’s warrant liability as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 includes public and private placement warrants that were originally issued by 890, but which were assumed by the Company in connection with the closing of the Business Combination (the “Public Warrants” and “Private Placement Warrants,” respectively, or together, the “Public and Private Placement Warrants”). The Public and Private Placement Warrants are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The carrying amount is subject to remeasurement at each balance sheet date. With each remeasurement, the carrying amount is adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

The Public Warrants are publicly traded under the symbol “BZFDW,” and the fair value of the Public Warrants at a specific date is determined by the closing price of the Public Warrants as of that date. As such, the Public Warrants are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The closing price of the Public Warrants was $0.08 and $0.18 as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

There wereno transfers between fair value measurement levels during the three and six months ended June 30, 2025.

Equity Investment

For equity investments in entities over which the Company does not exercise significant influence, if the fair value of the investment is not readily determinable, the investment is accounted for at cost, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes. If the fair value of the investment is readily determinable, the investment is accounted for at fair value. The Company reviews equity investments without readily determinable fair values at each period end to determine whether they have been impaired.

As of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had an investment in equity securities of a privately-held company without a readily determinable fair value. The total carrying value of the investment, included in prepaid and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, was $0.8 million as of both June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

  1. Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

June 30, 2025December 31, 2024
Leasehold improvements$48,249$47,849
Furniture and fixtures3,8783,439
Computer equipment2,1312,554
Video equipment339369
Gross carrying value54,59754,211
Less: accumulated depreciation(49,654)(48,016)
Net carrying value$4,943$6,195

Depreciation totaled $1.2 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $2.7 million and $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, included in depreciation and amortization expense.

  1. Capitalized Software Costs, net

Capitalized software costs, net consisted of the following:

June 30, 2025December 31, 2024
Website and internal-use software$97,100$91,425
Less: accumulated amortization(73,553)(68,772)
Net carrying value$23,547$22,653

The Company capitalized $3.2 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $6.4 million and $6.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, included in capitalized software costs, net. The Company amortized $2.6 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $5.4 million and $6.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, included in depreciation and amortization expense.

  1. Intangible Assets, net

The following table presents the detail of intangible assets for the periods presented and the weighted average remaining useful lives:

June 30, 2025 · December 31, 2024
Weighted-Average Remaining Useful Lives(in years)Gross Carrying ValueAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying ValueWeighted-AverageRemaining Useful Lives(in years)Gross Carrying ValueAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying Value
Trademarks and Trade Names1114,0004,0839,9171114,0003,61710,383
Trademarks and Trade NamesIndefinite1,368—1,368Indefinite1,368—1,368
Customer Relationships3887927950———
Total$16,255$4,175$12,080$15,368$3,617$11,751

Amortization expense associated with intangible assets for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 was $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 was $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively, included in depreciation and amortization expense.

Estimated future amortization expense as of June 30, 2025 is as follows (in thousands):

Remainder of 2025$613
20261,229
20271,229
2028991
2029933
Thereafter5,717
Total$10,712

In March 2025, the Company completed an acquisition of the assets and liabilities of a small private company that focuses on producing custom content. The Company paid $0.3 million in cash, and identified $0.5 million of contingent consideration. In connection with this acquisition, the Company recorded an intangible asset (customer relationships) of $0.9 million, with a 3-year estimated economic useful life. The fair value of this intangible asset was estimated using Level 3 inputs. The remaining acquired assets and liabilities were immaterial working capital balances, andno goodwill was recorded in connection with this acquisition. This acquisition contributed approximately $1.2 million and $1.5 million of revenue, and did not have a material impact to the Company’s net loss from continuing operations, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively.

On June 26, 2025 (the “Acquisition Date”), BuzzFeed Studios Canada, Inc., an indirectly held subsidiary of the Company, acquired a majority stock interest (i.e.,70%) in Girls Like Girls Film Inc. The Company determined that Girls Like Girls Film Inc. was a variable interest entity that did not meet the definition of a business as substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired were concentrated in a single group of similar assets (i.e., capitalized production costs). The Company consolidated Girls Like Girls Film Inc. on the Acquisition Date. The Company did not record any intangible assets, goodwill, or any material gain or loss from this acquisition. The estimated fair value of the assets acquired was approximately $4.8 million, and the estimated fair value of the liabilities assumed was approximately $4.8 million (refer to Note 8 herein for additional details). There was no material purchase price as the Company waived a $0.1 million executive producer fee as purchase consideration. This acquisition contributed approximately $4.1 million of revenue, and did not have a material impact to the Company’s net loss from continuing operations, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025.

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may exist (a “triggering event”). As of June 30, 2025, the Company had $43.3 million of goodwill recorded on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company concluded there were no impairment triggering events as of, and for, the three and six months ended June 30, 2025.

  1. Debt

Revolving Credit Facility

On December 30, 2020, the Company entered into athree-year, $50.0 million, revolving loan and standby letter of credit facility agreement, which was amended and restated on December 3, 2021 in connection with the closing of the Business Combination, further amended and restated on December 15, 2022, and amended on each of June 29, 2023 and September 26, 2023 (i.e., the Revolving Credit Facility). Among other things, the Revolving Credit Facility provided for the issuance of up to $15.5 million of standby letters of credit, which were issued during the three months ended March 31, 2021 in favor of certain of the Company’s landlords. On February 21, 2024, in connection with the Complex Disposition discussed within Note 18 herein, the Company terminated the Revolving Credit Facility, except for the $15.5 million in letters of credit outstanding, which were cash collateralized in the amount of $17.1 million and resulted in restricted cash classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2024. However, during the second quarter of 2024, the Company terminated the $15.5 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, resulting in the full termination of the Revolving Credit Facility (and therefore there was no further restricted cash classification).

Standby Letters of Credit

During the second quarter of 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with a financial institution for standby letters of credit in the amount of $15.5 million, which were issued during the second quarter of 2024 in favor of certain of the Company’s landlords and remain outstanding as of June 30, 2025. Additionally, during the first quarter of 2025, the Company entered into an agreement with a financial institution for a standby letter of credit in the amount of approximately $2.9 million, which was issued in the first quarter of 2025 in favor of the Company’s landlord for its new corporate headquarters, and remains outstanding as of June 30, 2025. Refer to Note 13 herein for additional details with respect to this new lease.

Convertible Notes

In June 2021, in connection with the entry into the merger agreement pursuant to which the Business Combination was consummated, the Company entered into subscription agreements with certain investors to sell $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes due 2026 (i.e., the Notes). In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company issued, and those investors purchased, the Notes, which were governed by an indenture, dated December 3, 2021, which was amended on each of July 10, 2023, February 28, 2024, October 28, 2024, and December 10, 2024 (the “Indenture”). The Notes were convertible into shares of our Class A common stock at an initial conversion price of approximately $50.00 and bore interest at a rate of 8.50% per annum, payable semi-annually.

On March 7, 2024, in connection with the Complex Disposition, the Company repurchased approximately $30.9 million of the $150.0 million Notes. In connection with the repurchase, the Company determined the modified debt terms were not substantially different from the original terms and applied modification accounting. The Company derecognized approximately 20.6% of the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs, which resulted in an approximately $4.9 million loss on partial debt extinguishment that was attributed to the discontinued operation from the Complex Disposition. Additionally, on June 21, 2024, the Company repurchased approximately $0.3 million of the Notes in connection with an asset sale.

The Company repurchased the following amounts of Notes in December 2024: $12.0 million pursuant to a private repurchase transaction, $1.2 million pursuant to redemptions / repurchases, and $75.6 million utilizing 95% of the net proceeds received from the First We Feast Disposition. In connection with the aforementioned repayments (repurchases), the Company determined the modified debt terms were not substantially different from the original terms and applied modification accounting, utilizing the original cash flows in the cash flow test since the debt was modified more than once in one year. The Company derecognized approximately 74.7% of the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs, which resulted in an approximately $10.8 million loss on partial debt extinguishment, of which $6.9 million was attributed to the discontinued operation from the First We Feast Disposition and the remainder was attributed to continuing operations.

Pursuant to the fourth supplemental Indenture, on January 31, 2025, the Company paid a cash fee of $0.9 million to the Trustee (as defined in the Indenture) for the benefit of all holders of the Notes then-outstanding, thereby extending the earliest date that the Optional Repurchase Notices (as defined in the Indenture) may be delivered to the Company to March 31, 2025. On February 25, 2025, approximately $0.3 million of Notes were repurchased in connection with proceeds received from a previous asset sale. On March 31, 2025, pursuant to the fourth supplemental Indenture, the Company paid a cash fee of approximately $1.2 million to the Trustee (as defined in the Indenture) for the benefit of all holders of the Notes then-outstanding, thereby extending the earliest date that the Optional Repurchase Notices (as defined in the Indenture) may be delivered to the Company to May 31, 2025. As a result of the aforementioned repurchases / payments, the Company determined the modified debt terms were not substantially different from the original terms and applied modification accounting, utilizing the original cash flows in the cash flow test since the debt was modified more than once in one year. The Company derecognized approximately 1% of the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs, which resulted in an approximately $nil loss on partial debt extinguishment.

On June 3, 2025, the Company redeemed all of the remaining Notes for approximately $30.9 million, consisting of $29.7 million of principal and $1.2 million of accrued interest. The Indenture has been satisfied and discharged in full, except for those provisions that expressly survive as provided in Section 3.01 of the Indenture, including without limitation, Section 7.06 of the Indenture. The Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $5.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, which was recorded within other expense (income), net.

Interest expense on the Notes was recognized at an effective interest rate of approximately 23% and totaled $0.9 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $2.1 million and $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, of which amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs comprised $0.5 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $1.0 million and $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The effective interest rate of approximately 23% was remeasured in connection with the aforementioned modification accounting in the first quarter of 2025, and assumed a maturity date of December 3, 2026.

The net carrying amount of the Notes as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was:

June 30, 2025December 31, 2024
Principal outstanding$—$30,000
Unamortized debt discount and issuance costs—(4,482)
Net carrying value$—$25,518

The fair value of the Notes as of December 31, 2024 approximated the face value (principal amount outstanding) and was estimated using Level 3 inputs.

Term Loan

On May 23, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a financial institution that provides for, among other things, an asset-backed term loan (i.e., the Term Loan), with a commitment amount of the greater of $40.0 million and a borrowing base calculated as a percentage of the face amount of certain eligible receivables, plus an overadvance amount of up to $20.0 million through August 31, 2026, and thereafter $10.0 million until the second anniversary of the Closing Date, and $5.0 million thereafter. The Company borrowed $40.0 million on the Closing Date, and $40.0 million aggregate principal amount of indebtedness remains outstanding as of June 30, 2025. The Term Loan matures on May 23, 2028, and bears interest at the rate of Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), plus 6.5% per annum, subject to a SOFR floor of 3.5% (the interest rate was approximately 11% at June 30, 2025). The Company is required to repay $15.0 million of the Term Loan on August 31, 2026, upon the contractual expiration of certain of its outstanding standby letters of credit. The Term Loan is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic and Canadian subsidiaries. The Term Loan’s lender has a first lien on substantially all assets of the Company and the Guarantors (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company must maintain minimum liquidity of $5.0 million. No other financial maintenance covenants are applicable, and the Company was in compliance with the aforementioned covenant as of June 30, 2025.

The Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, events of default, financial reporting requirements, and affirmative and negative covenants, including restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional debt or liens, make acquisitions, make investments, pay dividends or buy back capital stock, dispose of assets or enter into transactions with affiliates, subject in each case to exceptions. The Company may prepay the Loan in whole or in part at any time after May 23, 2026 upon at leastone business day’s notice together with accrued interest and a prepayment premium on the amount repaid equal to 2.5% until the second anniversary of the closing date and 1.0% thereafter.

Debt discount / issuance costs related to the Term Loan totaled $2.1 million and will be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the contractual term.

Interest expense on the Term Loan is recognized at an effective interest rate of approximately 13% and totaled $0.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, of which amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs comprised $0.1 millionfor the three and six months ended June 30, 2025.

The net carrying amount of the Loan as of June 30, 2025 was:

June 30, 2025December 31, 2024
Principal outstanding$40,000$—
Unamortized debt discount and issuance costs(2,022)—
Net carrying value$37,978$—

The estimated fair value of the Term Loan approximates the carrying value because the variable interest rate approximates current market rates.

Film Financing Arrangements

2X Blind Partners, Inc. Loan Commitment

On June 13, 2025, 2X Blind Partners, Inc. (“2X Blind”), a majority-owned subsidiary of HuffPost Studios Canada, Inc. which is an indirectly held subsidiary of the Company, entered into a loan and security agreement providing for a loan commitment amount (the “Loan Commitment”) of $5.2 million. The lender has a first priority secured lien in all of 2X Blind’s assets, tangible and intangible, including but not limited to all proceeds, rights, accounts receivable, cash accounts, equipment, intellectual property, future proceeds, and virtually any other asset currently in 2X Blind’s possession or in the future. The Loan Commitment is funded in installments ranging from June 13, 2025 through August 8, 2025, of which $2.9 million was funded and remains outstanding as of June 30, 2025. An additional $1.0 million was received as of August 7, 2025.

The Loan Commitment is being used to fund the production, post-production, and delivery costs of a feature film currently in production, and is required to be repaid using proceeds from contracts with third parties for distribution rights along with expected production tax credits. Specifically, $2.6 million is due on March 16, 2026, $2.4 million is due on August 14, 2026, and $0.2 million is due on September 14, 2026. Interest on the Loan Commitment is fixed at $0.5 million, unless in the event of default (the implied fixed interest rate is approximately 10%).

Debt discount / issuance costs related to the Loan Commitment totaled approximately $0.7 million and will be amortized to capitalized film costs (included in prepaid and other assets within the condensed consolidated balance sheets) using the effective interest method over the contractual term. Interest expense associated with this Loan Commitment is included as a capitalized film cost as of June 30, 2025, and was $nil for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025. As of June 30, 2025, the net carrying value of the Loan Commitment approximated $2.9 million ($2.6 million was classified as current debt and the remaining $0.3 million was classified as non-current debt within the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2025).

Girls Like Girls Film Inc. Indebtedness

On June 26, 2025, BuzzFeed Studios Canada, Inc., an indirectly held subsidiary of the Company, acquired a majority stock interest (i.e.,70%) in Girls Like Girls Film Inc. Girls Like Girls Film Inc. has debt of approximately $4.8 million (CAD $6.6 million) (the “Girls Like Girls’ Indebtedness”), of which $4.0 million is required to be repaid with proceeds from a contract with a third party for distribution rights for a feature film, and the remaining $0.8 million is due when Girls Like Girls Film Inc. receives expected production tax credits (both repayment dates are currently unknown, but are expected to occur within the next 12 months). Included in the Girls Like Girls’ Indebtedness is an interest reserve of $0.3 million used to satisfy interest expense. The Girls Like Girls’ Indebtedness bears an interest rate of the Royal Bank Prime rate as published by the Royal Bank of Canada, plus an applicable margin of 1.25% (the implied interest rate was approximately 6% June 30, 2025). The Company incurred approximately $nil interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025.

Girls Like Girls Film Inc. also has available to it a $0.4 million (CAD $0.6 million) foreign exchange line of credit, of which there isno amount currently outstanding.

The Girls Like Girls’ Indebtedness contains customary financial reporting requirements and affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that, among other things, restrict the cost of production exceeding 105% of the reported budget and prohibit the disposal of assets or entrance into any business combination without prior consent (the Company was in compliance with the covenants as of June 30, 2025). The entire $4.8 million aggregate principal amount of the Girls Like Girls’ Indebtedness is classified as current debt within the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2025.

Future Principal Payments of Long-Term Debt and Weighted-Average Interest Rate on Short-Term Borrowings

As of June 30, 2025, future principal payments of long-term debt outstanding were as follows:

YearAmount
2025$—
202615,342
2027—
202825,000
2029—
Total$40,342

As at June 30, 2025, the weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings was approximately 7%.

  1. Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company authorized the issuance of 700,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share,20,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled toone vote and each share of Class B common stock is entitled tofifty votes. Class C common stock isnon-voting.

Preferred Stock

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company authorized the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The Company’s board of directors is authorized, without further stockholder approval, to issue such preferred stock in one or more series, to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. There wereno issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock as of June 30, 2025 or December 31, 2024.

Repurchase of Common Stock

On May 23, 2025, the Company entered into a share repurchase agreement with New Enterprise Associates 13, L.P., then a holder of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock, providing for the Company to repurchase 1.8 million shares of its Class A common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, in a privately negotiated transaction, at a purchase price of $1.82 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $3.3 million. The repurchase was approved by the Company’s board of directors, and this repurchase of common stock took place on May 23, 2025. This transaction resulted in the repurchased 1.8 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock being classified as treasury stock, which was recorded at cost, within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2025, as the Company does not have any current formal or constructive plans to retire the shares.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock Options

A summary of the stock option activity under the Company’s equity incentive plans is presented below:

Number ofSharesWeightedAverageExercisePriceWeightedAverageRemainingTermAggregate IntrinsicValue
Balance as of December 31, 20246,882$2.959.24$3,263
Granted————
Exercised(7)2.38——
Forfeited(233)2.21——
Expired(39)28.17——
Balance as of June 30, 20256,603$2.838.63$—
Expected to vest at June 30, 20256,603$2.838.63$—
Exercisable at June 30, 20252,298$4.008.38$—

As of June 30, 2025, the total share-based compensation costs not yet recognized related to unvested stock options was $5.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of 1.0 year.

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of restricted stock unit (“RSU”) activity is presented below:

SharesWeighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 20241,103$1.97
Granted2,9452.01
Vested(550)2.23
Forfeited(9)2.64
Outstanding as of June 30, 20253,489$1.96

As of June 30, 2025, there were approximately $6.2 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to RSUs.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations:

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2025202420252024
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization$284$331$586$513
Sales and marketing15844306167
General and administrative7641,2091,5661,547
Research and development120114245175
Total$1,326$1,698$2,703$2,402

RSUs settle into shares of common stock upon vesting. Upon the vesting of the RSUs, for certain employees, the Company net-settles the RSUs and withholds a portion of the shares to satisfy minimum statutory employee withholding tax requirements. Total payment of the employees’ tax obligations to the tax authorities is reflected as a financing activity within the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

At-The-Market Offering

On March 21, 2023, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Shelf Registration Statement”) under which it may, from time to time, sell securities in one or more offerings having an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0 million. The Shelf Registration Statement was declared effective as of April 5, 2023. On June 20, 2023, the Company entered into an At-The-Market Offering Agreement with Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC pursuant to which the Company was able to sell up to 3,316,503 shares of its Class A common stock. In July 2024, the Company increased the size of the offering available under the At-The-Market-Offering Agreement to $150.0 million. As of June 30, 2025, the Company had sold, in the aggregate,1,153,345 shares of its Class A common stock, at an average price of $2.52 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of $2.8 million after deducting commissions and offering expenses. The Company used the aggregate net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

  1. Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per share is computed using the two-class method. Basic net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period, net of treasury stock. Diluted net loss per share reflects the effect of the assumed exercise of any stock options, the vesting of any restricted stock units, and the exercise of any warrants (including the Public Warrants and the Private Warrants), in each case only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, net loss per share amounts were the same for Class A and Class B common stock because the holders of each class are entitled to equal per share dividends. There wereno shares of Class C common stock outstanding for any period presented.

The table below presents the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share:

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2025202420252024
Numerator:
Net loss from continuing operations$(10,627)$(5,374)$(23,088)$(32,324)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax—(1,986)—(10,817)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests19312740374
Net loss attributable to holders of Class A and Class B common stock$(10,820)$(7,487)$(23,491)$(43,215)
Amounts attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc. for net loss per common share, basic and diluted:
Net loss from continuing operations(10,820)(5,501)(23,491)(32,398)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax—(1,986)—(10,817)
Net loss attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.$(10,820)$(7,487)$(23,491)$(43,215)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted38,08037,00738,38036,792
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted:
Continuing operations$(0.28)$(0.15)$(0.61)$(0.88)
Discontinued operations—(0.05)—(0.29)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted, attributable to BuzzFeed, Inc.1$(0.28)$(0.20)$(0.61)$(1.17)

(1)Net loss per share information is presented on a rounded basis using actual amounts. Minor differences in totals may exist due to rounding.

The numerator for net loss per basic and diluted common share from continuing operations excludes the impact of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests for all periods presented.

The table below presents the details of securities that were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share as the effect would have been anti-dilutive:

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2025202420252024
Stock options6,6037,4476,6037,447
Restricted stock units3,4891,6823,4891,682
Warrants2,4692,4692,4692,469
  1. Income Taxes

The Company’s tax provision or benefit from income taxes for interim periods is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any. Each quarter, the Company updates its estimate of the annual effective tax rate and makes a year-to-date adjustment to the provision.

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2025202420252024
Income tax provision (benefit)$333$(176)$413$506
Effective tax rate(3.2)%3.2%(1.8)%(1.6)%

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company’s effective tax rate on continuing operations differed from the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily due to limited tax benefits provided for against its current year pre-tax operating loss, as the Company maintains a full valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets that are not realizable on a more-likely-than-not basis and the discrete impact of finalization of Canadian tax return filings.

On July 4, 2025, H.R.1, commonly referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” was signed into law. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company will account for the tax effects of changes in tax law in the period of enactment, which is the third quarter of calendar year 2025. These changes include provisions allowing accelerated tax deductions for qualified property and research expenditures. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of these law changes on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company, or one of its subsidiaries, files its tax returns in the U.S. and certain state and foreign income tax jurisdictions with varying statute of limitations. The major jurisdictions in which the Company is subject to potential examination by tax authorities are the U.S., the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada.

  1. Restructuring Costs

In February 2025, the Company announced plans to reduce expenses by implementing an approximately 5% reduction in our then-current workforce. The reduction in workforce was intended to streamline the news operations for HuffPost. The Company incurred approximately $1.9 million of restructuring costs for the six months ended June 30, 2025, comprised mainly of severance and related benefits costs, all of which were included in costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization.

In February 2024, the Company announced plans to reduce expenses by implementing an approximately 16% reduction in the then-current workforce (after the Complex Disposition, as discussed within Note 18 herein). In doing so, the Company reduced the size of its centralized operations to enable its individual brands to operate with more autonomy and deliver against their differentiated value propositions for advertisers. The reduction in workforce plan was intended to position the Company to be more agile, sustainable, and profitable. The Company incurred approximately $2.9 million of restructuring costs for the six months ended June 30, 2024, comprised mainly of severance and related benefits costs, of which $1.2 million were included in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, $1.5 million were included in sales and marketing, and $0.2 million were included in general and administrative.

Additionally, in accordance with the Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Complex Sale Agreement;” refer to Note 18 herein for additional details), dated as of February 21, 2024 between a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and Commerce Media Holdings, LLC., pursuant to which the Complex Disposition was consummated, Commerce Media reimbursed the Company for approximately $1.8 million in payments related to “Non-Transferring Employees” (as defined in the Complex Sale Agreement), including severance. The amount of these severance and related charges are not included within the restructuring charges noted above. The Company treated the reimbursement as an expense reimbursement.

  1. Leases

The Company leases office space under non-cancelable operating leases with various expiration dates through 2031 (assumes the early termination option as discussed below is exercised, otherwise, the expiration date is 2036). The Company accounts for leases under ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”) by recording right-of-use assets and liabilities. The right-of-use asset represents the Company’s right to use underlying assets for the lease term and the lease liability represents the Company’s obligation to make lease payments under the lease. The Company determines if an arrangement is, or contains, a lease at contract inception and exercises judgment and applies certain assumptions when determining the discount rate, lease term, and lease payments. ASC 842 requires a lessee to record a lease liability based on the discounted unpaid lease payments using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if the rate cannot be readily determined, the incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Company does not have knowledge of the rate implicit in the lease and, therefore, uses its incremental borrowing rate for a lease. The lease term includes the non-cancelable period of the lease and options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise those options. The Company’s lease agreements generally do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Certain of the Company’s lease agreements include escalating lease payments. Additionally, certain lease agreements contain other provisions which require the Company to pay taxes, insurance, or maintenance costs.

The Company subleases certain leased office space to third parties when it determines there is excess leased capacity. In July 2022, the Company entered into a sublease with a third party with respect to substantially all of the Company’s then-existing corporate headquarters. The sublease commenced on August 26, 2022 and expires on May 30, 2026, unless terminated sooner in accordance with the provisions of the sublease. Pursuant to the terms of the sublease, the subtenant is obligated to pay a fixed monthly rent of $0.8 million, subject to periodic increases. In-lieu of a cash security deposit, the Company received a letter of credit from Citibank for approximately $4.5 million.

In February 2024, in connection with the Complex Disposition, the Company entered into a space sharing license agreement whereby the Company licensed approximately 11,500 square feet (not including shared spaces) to the purchaser of certain assets of Complex Networks in connection with the Complex Disposition through June 30, 2025. Additionally, in December 2024, the Company entered into space sharing license agreements whereby the Company licensed a portion of the office space in New York City, New York, and Los Angeles, California through May 31, 2025 to the purchaser of certain assets and liabilities of First We Feast in connection with the First We Feast Disposition. Refer to Note 18 herein for additional details.

In March 2025, the Company entered into a 130-month lease agreement for a new corporate headquarters located in New York, New York, which commenced on June 16, 2025 (i.e., the “Commencement Date”). The lease containsone 5-year renewal option and an early termination option after 6-years of the rent commencement date (i.e., December 16, 2025 is the rent commencement date). Upon the Commencement Date, based on various economic and market-based factors, the Company concluded it is reasonably certain to exercise the early termination option, and therefore the lease term was determined to be 6 years, 6 months (i.e., the lease term was determined to be June 16, 2025 through December 15, 2031). The undiscounted lease payments range from approximately $0.2 million to $0.3 million per month throughout the contractual term of the lease (approximately $0.2 million per month throughout the term determined for accounting purposes). Variable lease expenses are not material, and include the Company’s proportionate share of operating expenses, property taxes, and insurance. The Company determined this lease was an operating lease, and recorded a right-of-use asset and a noncurrent lease liability of $11.7 million and $11.5 million, respectively, upon commencement. The lease did not provide an implicit rate, and therefore the Company used its incremental borrowing rate, which was based on the term of the lease, the economic environment of the lease, and reflects the cost the Company would have had to pay to borrow on a secured basis.

Sublease rent income is recognized as an offset to rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In addition to sublease rent, other costs such as common-area maintenance, utilities, and real estate taxes are charged to subtenants over the duration of the lease for their proportionate share of these costs.

The following illustrates the lease costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2025202420252024
Operating lease cost$5,922$6,117$11,795$12,294
Sublease income(4,364)(4,409)(8,966)(8,522)
Total lease cost$1,558$1,708$2,829$3,772

All components of total lease cost are recorded within general and administrative expenses within the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company does not have material short-term or variable lease costs.

The following amounts were recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets related to operating leases:

June 30, 2025December 31, 2024
Assets
Right-of-use assets$30,880$28,562
Liabilities
Current lease liabilities$19,311$22,084
Noncurrent lease liabilities17,62815,138
Total lease liabilities$36,939$37,222

Other information related to leases was as follows:

Six Months EndedJune 30, 2025Six Months EndedJune 30, 2024
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating lease liabilities$14,280$14,073
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations11,747—
June 30, 2025December 31, 2024
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)3.11.8
Weighted average discount rate13%14%

Maturities of lease liabilities as of June 30, 2025 were as follows:

YearOperating Leases
Remainder of 2025$11,336
202615,146
20274,780
20283,227
20292,968
Thereafter8,454
Total lease payments45,911
Less: imputed interest(8,972)
Total$36,939

Sublease receipts to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases as of June 30, 2025 were as follows:

YearAmount
Remainder of 2025$7,672
20264,692
Thereafter—
Total$12,364
  1. Commitments and Contingencies

Guarantees

In the course of business, the Company both provides and receives indemnities which are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, the Company may remain contingently liable for various obligations of a business that has been divested in the event that a third party does not fulfill its obligations under an indemnification obligation. The Company records a liability for indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable and reasonably estimable.

Legal Matters

The Company is party to various lawsuits and claims in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of such matters cannot be predicted with certainty and the impact that the final resolution of such matters will ultimately have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements is not known, the Company does not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future results of operations or cash flows.

The Company settled or resolved certain legal matters during the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 that did not individually or in the aggregate have a material impact on the Company’s business or its condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Mass Arbitrations:

Two mass arbitrations (the “Arbitrations”) were initiated before the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) on March 15, 2022 against the Company and certain of its executive officers and directors (together, the “BuzzFeed Defendants”) and Continental Stock Transfer Corporation by 91 individuals previously employed by Legacy BuzzFeed (the “Claimants”). The Claimants alleged that they were harmed when they were allegedly unable to convert their shares of Class B common stock to Class A common stock and sell those shares on December 6, 2021, the first day of trading following the Business Combination, and asserted claims for negligence, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of Section 11 of the Securities Act. The Claimants sought to recover unspecified compensatory damages, an award of costs, and any further appropriate relief.

On April 21, 2022, the BuzzFeed Defendants filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery seeking to enjoin the Arbitrations on the grounds that, inter alia, the Claimants’ purported causes of action arise from their rights as shareholders of the Company, are governed by the Company’s charter, including its forum selection provision, and are therefore not arbitrable (the “Delaware Action”). The complaint sought declaratory and injunctive relief. A hearing on the merits of the Delaware Action was held on July 26, 2022. On October 28, 2022, the Court of Chancery granted the Company’s motion to permanently enjoin the Claimants’ arbitration claims.

On January 17, 2023, the Claimants filed amended statements of claim in the Arbitrations against BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Corporation, the transfer agent for 890 and, later, the Company. The amended statements of claim likewise allege that the Claimants were harmed when they were allegedly unable to convert their shares of Class B common stock to Class A common stock and sell those shares on the first day of trading following the Business Combination. The Claimants allege claims for breach of contract and the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, misrepresentation, and negligence, and seek to recover unspecified compensatory damages, an award of costs, and any further appropriate relief.

On March 29, 2023, BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc., filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery seeking to enjoin the Arbitrations on the grounds that, inter alia, the Claimants’ purported causes of action arise from their rights as shareholders of the Company, are governed by the Company’s charter, including its forum selection provision, and are therefore not arbitrable. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. The parties cross-moved for summary judgment.

On November 20, 2023, the Court of Chancery heard oral arguments on the Company’s motion for summary judgment and the Claimants’ cross-motion to dismiss the Company’s complaint.

On May 15, 2024, the Court of Chancery issued a decision denying BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc.’s motion for summary judgment, and on September 3, 2024, the Court issued a final order dismissing the complaint.

On September 9, 2024, BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc. filed a notice of appeal of the Delaware Chancery Court’s May 15, 2024 decision. Anen banc hearing of the appeal by the Delaware Supreme Court had been scheduled for April 23, 2025.

On June 18, 2024, the AAA re-initiated the Arbitrations, which had been stayed pending the Delaware Court of Chancery’s decision.

On October 24, 2024, BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc. filed its opening appellate brief with the Delaware Supreme Court. Plaintiff thereafter filed its responsive papers. Anen banc hearing before the Delaware Supreme Court had been scheduled for April 23, 2025 but was postponed for rescheduling. In the interim, the Arbitrations were resolved between the parties and the matters are now closed.

  1. Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company determined that its chief executive officer is its CODM who makes resource allocation decisions and assesses performance based upon financial information at the consolidated level. The Company manages its operations as a single segment for the purpose of evaluating and making operating decisions.

Information about the Company’s types of products and services from which it derives its revenues, as well as the accounting policies of the Company’s single operating and reportable segment, are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (refer to Note 2 herein for additional details). The CODM assesses performance based on net loss from continuing operations as reported on the condensed consolidated statements of operations for purposes of deciding how to direct resources.

From a significant segment expense perspective, the CODM receives and uses a more bifurcated view of total cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization), as outlined in the table below. Variable cost of revenue represents amounts related to web hosting, advertising serving platform costs, amounts due to third party websites and platforms to fulfill customers’ advertising campaigns, and production costs paid to third parties. Fixed cost of revenue primarily represent compensation-related expenses and costs incurred for the publishing of editorial, promotional, and news content across all platforms.

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2025202420252024
Variable cost of revenue$13,007$6,205$19,400$12,812
Fixed cost of revenue14,98015,52832,07936,060
Total cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization$27,987$21,733$51,479$48,872

All other significant segment expenses and other significant segment items that comprise consolidated net loss from continuing operations and are regularly provided to the CODM are consistent with what is presented on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The aggregate total of such expenses, which are comprised of sales and marketing, general and administrative, research and development, depreciation and amortization, other (expense) income, net, interest expense, net, change in fair value of warrant liabilities, and income tax provision (benefit), were $29.0 million and $24.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $54.0 million and $61.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

  1. Supplemental Disclosures

Film Costs

Film costs, which were included in prepaid and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were as follows:

June 30, 2025December 31, 2024
Individual Monetization:
Feature films$4,060$1,712
Total$4,060$1,712

The Company amortized $3.9 million of film costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, and hadno material amortization of film costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. Film cost amortization is included in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Company may enter into co-financing arrangements with third parties to jointly finance or distribute certain of its film productions. These arrangements can take various forms, but in most cases involve the grant of an economic interest in a film to an investor who owns an undivided copyright interest in the film. The number of investors and the terms of these arrangements can vary, although investors generally assume the full risks and rewards of ownership proportionate to their ownership in the film. The Company accounts for the proceeds received from the investor under these arrangements as a reduction of its capitalized film costs and the investor’s interest in the profit or loss of the film is recorded as either a charge or a benefit, respectively, in cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization. The investor’s interest in the profit or loss of a film is recorded each period using the individual film forecast computation method.

Governmental Assistance

Production tax incentives reduced capitalized film costs by $1.3 million and $0.3 million as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The Company had receivables related to our production tax credits of $2.3 million and $1.3 million as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, included in prepaid and other current assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

Six Months Ended June 30,
20252024
Cash paid for income taxes, net$454$865
Cash paid for interest1,6436,682
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to property and equipment71119
Accrued deferred offering costs67—
Debt assumed for acquisition of Girls Like Girls Film Inc.4,790—
Non-cash contingent consideration for business combination481—
Accrued debt issuance costs570—
Non-cash financing from 2X Blind's Loan Commitment500—
  1. Other (Expense) Income, net

Other (expense) income, net consisted of the following for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2025202420252024
Exchange gain (loss)$411$169$1,118$(12)
Other expense(231)(36)(363)(663)
Other income2727859951,037
Loss on extinguishment of debt(5,532)—(5,532)—
Gain on disposition of assets—1,250—1,250
Total$(5,080)$2,168$(3,782)$1,612
  1. Held for Sale, Discontinued Operations, Disposals, and Licenses

Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations:

Complex Disposition

As of December 31, 2023, the Company determined the assets of Complex Networks, excluding the First We Feast brand, met the criteria for classification as held for sale. The Company disposed of Complex Networks in order to refocus its business around scalable, high-margin, and tech-led revenue streams. As such, the Company concluded the ultimate disposal represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. Therefore, the historical results of Complex Networks are classified as discontinued operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.

On February 21, 2024, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into the Complex Sale Agreement with Commerce Media, providing for the sale of certain assets relating to the business of Complex Networks (i.e., the Complex Disposition). Pursuant to the Complex Sale Agreement, Commerce Media purchased certain assets, and assumed certain liabilities, related to the business of Complex Networks, excluding the business operating under the First We Feast brand and as otherwise set forth in the Complex Sale Agreement, for an aggregate purchase price of $108.6 million, which was received in cash upon closing on February 21, 2024.

In connection with the Complex Disposition, the Company was required to (i) repurchase approximately $30.9 million of Notes, and (ii) repay approximately $33.8 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, plus accrued and unpaid interest of $0.7 million (such amounts were repurchased / repaid shortly after the Complex Disposition; refer to note 8 herein for additional details). The Company terminated the Revolving Credit Facility, except for the $15.5 million in letters of credit then-outstanding. The Company incurred a $0.5 million early termination fee and a standby letter of credit fee of $0.5 million, both of which were paid upon closing of the Complex Disposition on February 21, 2024. Additionally, as described in Note 8 herein, on February 28, 2024, the Indenture was amended to, among other things, provide that 95% of the net proceeds of future asset sales must be used to repay the Notes.

All historical interest expense associated with the Revolving Credit Facility and 20.6% of the historical interest expense associated with the Notes were allocated to the discontinued operations of the Complex Disposition.

Details of net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, were as follows (for the Complex Disposition):

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
20242024
Revenue$—$2,115
Costs and Expenses
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization—3,500
Sales and marketing—1,046
General and administrative—225
Research and development—344
Total costs and expenses—5,115
Loss from discontinued operations—(3,000)
Loss on partial debt extinguishment—(4,919)
Gain on remeasurement of classification to held for sale—854
Other expense, net—(292)
Interest expense, net—(1,230)
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes—(8,587)
Income tax provision8771,502
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax$(877)$(10,089)

Financial results of Complex Networks for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 are through the date of the Complex Disposition, February 21, 2024, except for the income tax adjustments described below. Allocated general corporate overhead costs do not meet the criteria to be presented within net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, and were excluded from all figures presented in the table above.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, there was tax expense in discontinued operations as a result of the (i) tax effect of a pre-tax loss, (ii) a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets that were not realizable on a more-likely-than-not basis, and (iii) permanent items and state taxes related to the Complex Disposition.

The Company recorded a valuation allowance against the assets held for sale to reflect the write-down of the carrying value to fair value less estimated costs to sell. The non-cash valuation allowance of $9.5 million was recorded within gain (loss) from classification to held for sale in the summarized financial information of discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company completed the Complex Disposition during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and recorded a final gain on remeasurement of classification to held for sale of $0.9 million after recording final transaction and related expenses (for a total loss on disposal of approximately $8.6 million).

The Company had continuing involvement with Commerce Media through a transition services agreement, through which the Company and Commerce Media provided certain services to each other for a period of time following the Complex Disposition (specifically, from February 21, 2024 until August 31, 2024). Furthermore, the Company and Commerce Media entered into a space sharing agreement whereby Commerce Media paid the Company a one-time fee of approximately $2.8 million for use of certain office space in the Company’s corporate headquarters from February 21, 2024 until June 30, 2025.

First We Feast Disposition

As of December 1, 2024, the Company determined the assets and liabilities (disposal group) of First We Feast met the criteria for classification as held for sale. The Company sold First We Feast to finalize its strategy to refocus its business around higher-margin revenue streams such as programmatic advertising and affiliate commerce, as well as tech-led initiatives. As such, the Company determined the ultimate disposal represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. Therefore, the historical results of First We Feast are classified as discontinued operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.

On December 11, 2024, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with FEAST OPCO LLC (the “Purchaser”), providing for the sale by the Company to the Purchaser of certain assets and liabilities related to the Company’s business operating under the “First We Feast” brand

(i.e., the First We Feast Disposition). The First We Feast Disposition closed on December 11, 2024, immediately following entry into the Asset Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Purchaser purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities related to the business of First We Feast, and, at the Closing (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement), paid a purchase price of $82.5 million, which gives effect to certain closing adjustments for net working capital and accrued employee compensation.

Pursuant to the Indenture, the Company was required to remit 95% of the net proceeds of asset sales to the holders of the Notes. Prior to the sale of the First We Feast brand, on December 10, 2024, the Company entered into privately negotiated transactions with certain holders of the Notes, in which the Company agreed to repurchase approximately $12.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes from such holders on December 11, 2024. After giving effect to such private repurchase of $12.0 million of the Notes (together with accrued and unpaid interest), the Company redeemed $75.6 million of Notes with 95% of the net proceeds of the First We Feast Transaction (together with accrued and unpaid interest) and redeemed / repurchased $1.2 million of Notes with cash on hand (together with accrued and unpaid interest). Refer to Note 8 herein for additional details.

Details of net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, are as follows (for the First We Feast Disposition):

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
20242024
Revenue$5,817$13,563
Costs and Expenses
Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization3,2687,192
Sales and marketing7701,537
Depreciation and amortization402804
Total costs and expenses4,4409,533
Income from discontinued operations1,3774,030
Interest expense, net(2,486)(4,758)
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes(1,109)(728)
Income tax provision——
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax$(1,109)$(728)

Allocated general corporate overhead costs do not meet the criteria to be presented within net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, and were excluded from all figures presented in the table above.63.6% of the historical interest expense associated with the Notes was allocated to the discontinued operation of First We Feast.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, there wasno income tax provision in First We Feast’s discontinued operations as a result of the valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets that were not realizable on a more-likely-than-not basis.

The Company had continuing involvement with the Purchaser through a transition services agreement, pursuant to which the Company and the Purchaser provided certain services to each other for a period of time following the First We Feast Disposition (specifically for an initial term from December 12, 2024 through June 11, 2025). For the six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company collected a total of $0.6 million pursuant to the transition services agreement. Additionally, the Company and the Purchaser entered into space sharing licensing agreements pursuant to which the Purchaser licensed the use of certain office space within the Company’s offices in New York, New York, and Los Angeles, California, for $0.1 million per month through May 31, 2025.

License of BuzzFeed, Tasty, and HuffPost’s U.K. Operations

On March 28, 2024, BuzzFeed Media Enterprises, Inc., BuzzFeed UK Ltd., and TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., all of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, entered into a license agreement and an ancillary asset purchase and employee transfer agreement and IT services agreement with Independent Digital News and Media Limited (“IDNM”). Under the license agreement, the above-referenced entities granted IDNM a license to use the intellectual property, websites, social media accounts, and content of the BuzzFeed, Tasty, and HuffPost brands in the U.K. The initial term is five years, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of the license agreement. All employees who supported the BuzzFeed, Tasty, and HuffPost brands were transferred to IDNM as of April 1, 2024. Pursuant to the license agreement, IDNM will pay an annual license fee of between £0.3 million and £0.5 million (or approximately between $0.3 million and $0.6 million as of June 30, 2025), plus a net revenue share of 25% if certain criteria are met, as set forth in the license agreement.

Sale of BringMe Brand

On June 13, 2024, the Company sold 100% of the assets related to the digital media brand known as BringMe for approximately $1.3 million in cash consideration, which is payable in installments through 2028 ($0.7 million has been received as of June 30, 2025). BringMedid not have a material impact on the Company’s net loss for any period presented herein.

  1. Subsequent Events

On August 7, 2025, the Company announced a plan to reduce its then-current workforce by approximately 6%. The reduction in workforce plan is intended to support the Company's strategic plan and reduce operating expenses by further aligning its cost structure to focus on areas the Company believes are more likely to generate the best long-term results. The Company expects to recognize restructuring charges in connection with the reduction in workforce plan, including severance, outplacement services, and benefits continuation. We estimate that the foregoing charges will range between $1.3 million to $1.8 million, and we expect the charges will be recognized and paid primarily in the third quarter of 2025. The substantial majority of these charges will result in cash expenditures, and the reduction in workforce plan is expected to be substantially complete by the end of the third quarter of 2025.

ContentsView on SEC.gov

The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.