FilmRise acquires BuzzFeed Studios library
October 2, 2023
By Nik Roseveare
FilmRise, the New York City-based film, television studio and streaming network, has acquired worldwide digital media rights to a library of content from BuzzFeed Studios portfolio of brands.
The library spans over 1,200 hours of content, which includes Hot Ones – the popular series featuring host Sean Evans interviewing A-list celebrities over a plate of increasingly spicy wings. Hot Ones originally launched in 2015 on YouTube and immediately became a viral sensation, with guests including Noel Gallagher, The Undertaker, Tony Hawk, Elizabeth Olsen, Ricky Gervais, Chris Jericho (pictured), Johnny Knoxville, Matt Damon, Michael B Jordan, Natalie Portman, Billie Eilish, Halle Berry, Idris Elba, Paul Rudd, Ed Sheeran and many more over the years.
Other titles in the library include BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime and BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural, Worth It and more.
Jonitha Keymoore, VP of Global Content Acquisitions at FilmRise, commented: “BuzzFeed and Complex carry a library of content that taps into the zeitgeist of today’s culture by taking an innovative perspective to traditional formats, whether that be the unique way Hot Ones approaches the classic talk show format or BuzzFeed Unsolved takes on the true crime genre. These titles already have a strong audience following and now, we are thrilled to bring them to everyone, worldwide.”
Nick Wang, SVP of Business Development and Partnerships at BuzzFeed Studio. added: “This deal with FilmRise marks a milestone for our series and our studio. We’re excited to expand the footprint of our series to audience across digital platforms around the globe.”