Yahoo Lifestyle ‘Hot Ones’ Goes Independent: Buzzy Talk Show Owner Hatches New Investment
Hot Ones, the buzzy talk show where celebrities face questions and even hotter chicken, is under new management.
First We Feast, the company behind the YouTube show, has been sold by Buzzfeed to a group of investors including host Sean Evans and founder Chris Schonberger, Pod Save America producer Crooked Media, Rhett & Link’s Mythical Entertainment and Soros Fund Management for $82.5M in an all-cash deal.
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The move means that First We Feast will now be an independent multi-platform media company. It comes after Buzzfeed sold Complex Media, where First We Feast started as an offshoot, to Live Nation-backed NTWRK but kept the Hot Ones producer.
Schonberger becomes CEO of the company with Evans as Chief Creative Officer as well as remaining host of the hit show. Sarah Honda remains SVP of Operations and Brand Strategy and Brendan Kelly is SVP of Client Partnerships.
Hot Ones has produced 350 episodes and First We Feast has over 14M subscribers with 4B views. The show ostensibly sees celebrities answer its deeply-researched questions while eating increasingly hot chicken wings. It even entered the Emmy conversation earlier this year.
Stars that have appeared on the show include Gordon Ramsay, Jennifer Lawrence, Shaquille O’Neal, Tom Holland, Jimmy Fallon, Kevin Hart, Post Malone, Millie Bobby Brown, Paul Rudd, Margot Robbie, David Beckham, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as well as Conan O’Brien, who went viral for his appearance earlier this year.
In 2020 there was a spinoff series Hot Ones: The Game Show on truTV. Earlier this year, it also emerged that Netflix was in talks to air live versions of Hot Ones on its service.
Season 26 of the show launches on January 23, ahead of its 10 year anniversary in March.
“I hosted the very first episode of Hot Ones in March 2015,” said Sean Evans. “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. 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.”
“Today’s announcement marks an exciting new chapter in First We Feast’s history,” added Chris Schonberger. “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. 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.”
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