The media mogul explains why he bought the struggling digital publisher, how video can revive its business, and why Black ownership remains central to his strategy.
When the media mogul Byron Allen took a controlling stake in BuzzFeed in May—becoming its CEO and chairman—it was his latest bold bet in a volatile media landscape. The Allen Media Group founder explains his strategy for BuzzFeed, why YouTube and Netflix aren’t untouchable in the streaming wars, and why race matters in media ownership. (Editor’s note: This interview was recorded before BuzzFeed announced layoffs for 35% of its staff on July 27, 2026.)
The media mogul explains why he bought the struggling digital publisher, how video can revive its business, and why Black ownership remains central to his strategy.
When the media mogul Byron Allen took a controlling stake in BuzzFeed in May—becoming its CEO and chairman—it was his latest bold bet in a volatile media landscape. The Allen Media Group founder explains his strategy for BuzzFeed, why YouTube and Netflix aren’t untouchable in the streaming wars, and why race matters in media ownership. (Editor’s note: This interview was recorded before BuzzFeed announced layoffs for 35% of its staff on July 27, 2026.) Tech
