‘Hot Ones’ Strikes Independent Deal Following BuzzFeed Exit - N SPORTS 2025

First We Feast’s future heats up after being sold by BuzzFeed. The pop culture and food-focused company, which produces the hit spicy wings show Hot Ones, is now an indie entity thanks to a group of investors, including First We Feast founder Chris Schonberger, Hot One’s host Sean Evans, Crooked Media, and Soro Fund Management, inking a cash deal worth $82.5 million.

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Schonberger addressed the move by saying in a statement (per Deadline):

“Today’s announcement marks an exciting new chapter in First We Feast’s history. What began as a humble food blog has evolved into a powerhouse multi-platform brand, amassing more than four billion views on YouTube, earning multiple Daytime Emmy nominations, and winning James Beard Awards. Being part of this incredible journey has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”

The comedy duo known as Rhett and Link, a.k.a. Rhett James McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln Neal III, were also among the investors in the deal, via their digital media company, Mythic Entertainment. Schonberger, whose company has been behind the must-see spicy wings interview show, Hot Ones, since March 2015, continued discussing the First We Feast deal by saying:

“Our proven expertise in developing compelling formats, iconic IP, and best-in-class interviews makes us uniquely positioned to build on the brand’s momentum and supercharge our growth. With new investment, we’re poised to expand into exciting new areas — including new platforms, live events, and talent acquisition — cementing First We Feast as the ultimate destination for pop culture – obsessed audiences. I’m thrilled to lead this next chapter as we continue to push boundaries and create unforgettable experiences for our audience.”

“Not Only Is ‘Hot Ones’ a Hit Show, but It’s an Experience”

The new $82.5 million First We Feast deal comes on the heels of the announcement that Hot Ones will soon go live on Netflix. The move away from BuzzFeed, as an indie, results in Chris Schonberger becoming the company’s CEO, and Sean Evans will continue to host the saucy interview show, while also becoming the Chief Creative Officer. Evans said via the same statement:

“I hosted the very first episode of Hot Ones in March 2015. Nearly a decade later, it’s incredible to see how the show has grown from a bold experiment into what it is today. As we approach the 10th anniversary of Hot Ones next season, I’m constantly amazed by the passion and loyalty of our fans, who have made this journey so special.”

For those who haven’t seen the show, guests answer questions posed by the host after eating a wing drenched in hot sauce. As the interview progresses, the heat level of each saucy wing increases in Scoville units. The milder sauces might feature jalapeños (2,500 to 8,000 SU), while the super hots are typically loaded with Scorpion (1.2 million to 2 million SU) and/or Carolina Reaper (1.4 million to 2.2 million SU) peppers and extracts — even pure capsaicin (15 million SU). Evans continued discussing the new deal by saying:

“Not only is Hot Ones a hit show, but it’s an experience — a cultural touchpoint that audiences want to be a part of, whether they’re watching, tasting the sauces, or sharing in the challenge with friends. I’m excited to continue hosting ‘the show with hot questions, and even hotter wings’ for years to come. The future is spicy, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

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A number of high-profile celebrities have appeared on Hot Ones in 2024 alone — many drinking milk for relief from the excruciating heat — including Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s team-up against Da Bomb Beyond Insanity hot sauce, Demi Moore, and Ben Stiller. And who can forget Gal Gadot’s hilariously entertaining appearance on the show back in August 2023? Plus, there’s so much more to come as Hot Ones Season 26 will drop on January 23, 2025.