BuzzFeed News Was More Blockbuster Than Netflix

For all the sneering about the publication’s end, the subscription future of news isn’t a sure bet.

Illustration: George Wylesol for Bloomberg Businessweek

BuzzFeed Inc., befitting a media company bred for virality, always meant many things to many people: listicles, charticles, investigations, quizzes and “15 Poop Horror Stories That Will Make You Feel Better About Yourself.” It was a fire hose of award-winning news and digital pablum.

And on April 20, BuzzFeed leaders excised its award-winning news.