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Subsequent Events
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Subsequent Events [Abstract]  
Subsequent Events Subsequent Events
Sale of Complex Networks:
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 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 Agreement, for an aggregate purchase price of $108.6 million, which was paid in cash on February 21, 2024. In connection with the Disposition, the Company was required to repay (i) approximately $30.9 million to holders of the Notes and (ii) approximately $33.8 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, plus accrued and unpaid interest of $0.7 million (such amounts were repaid shortly after the Disposition). 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. 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 Disposition on February 21, 2024.
Concurrent with the closing of the Disposition, the Company and Commerce Media entered into a Space Sharing Agreement whereby Commerce Media paid the Company a one-time license fee of approximately $2.8 million for use of the certain office space in our corporate headquarters from February 21, 2024 until on June 30, 2025 (or such earlier date that the underlying sublease or master lease earlier expires or is terminated).
Additionally, on February 28, 2024, the indenture governing the Notes was amended to, among other things, provide that 95% of the net proceeds of future asset sales must be used to repay the Notes.
Restructuring:
On February 21, 2024, the Company announced plans to reduce expenses by implementing an approximately 16% reduction in the then-current workforce (after the Disposition). In doing so, the Company is reducing 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 is intended to position the Company to be more agile, sustainable, and profitable. The Company expects to substantially complete the reduction in workforce plan by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
Where required, worker adjustment and retraining notification (“WARN”) was given. In addition, all eligible employees were offered severance benefits in exchange for the execution of a separation and release agreement, subject to the WARN offset where applicable.
In connection with the workforce reduction, senior executives subject to the Company’s Change in Control and Severance Plan were offered severance in accordance therewith, contingent on their execution of a separation and release agreement.
The Company expects to recognize restructuring charges in connection with the workforce reduction plan, including the cost of providing, where required, WARN notice, and severance, including outplacement services and benefits continuation. The Company estimates that the foregoing charges will range between $2.5 million to $4.0 million, and we expect the charges will be recognized primarily in the first quarter of 2024, with the majority of such charges anticipated to be paid by the end of the second quarter of 2024. The substantial majority of these charges will result in cash expenditures. Additionally, pursuant to the Complex Sale Agreement, 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 our expected restructuring charges noted above. The Company expects to treat the reimbursement as an expense reimbursement.

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 have 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 support the BuzzFeed, Tasty and HuffPost brands will be 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 $0.5 million as of March 27, 2024), plus a net revenue share of 25% if certain criteria are met, as set forth in the license agreement.