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Description of the Business
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
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” or the “Company”) is a premier digital media company. Across food, news, 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.”
The shares and corresponding capital amounts and earnings per share related to Legacy BuzzFeed redeemable convertible preferred stock (other than Series F Preferred Stock and Series G Preferred Stock) and Legacy BuzzFeed common stock prior to the Business Combination were retroactively recast as shares reflecting the Exchange Ratio of 0.306 established in the Business Combination. Shares of Legacy BuzzFeed Series F Preferred Stock and Series G Preferred Stock were restated based on the exchange ratio into 7,720,000 shares of BuzzFeed Class A common stock established in the Business Combination.
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 14, 2025. Refer to Note 8 herein for additional details.
Liquidity and Going Concern
The 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 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 year ended December 31, 2024, the Company incurred a net loss of $9.9 million (and a net loss of $34.0 million from continuing operations) and used net cash flows from operations of $20.7 million (and net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations was $5.7 million). Additionally, as of December 31, 2024, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $38.6 million to fund its operations and an accumulated deficit of $621.9 million.
As described in Note 8 herein, 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 14, 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 March 31, 2025 (or, upon payment of a cash fee of $1.2 million to the holders of the Notes, 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) 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, could trigger an event of default under the indenture, 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 may explore options to restructure its outstanding debt, and is working with advisors to optimize its consolidated balance sheet, which may include seeking new debt and / or equity financing in public or private markets. However, the Company can provide no assurance that it will generate sufficient cash inflows from operations, or that it will be successful in obtaining such new financing, or in optimizing its consolidated balance sheet in a manner necessary to fund its obligations as they become due over the next 12 months beyond the issuance date. Additionally, 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 10 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. 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 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 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 consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.