The departure of the Try Guys from BuzzFeed captured widespread attention because it signaled a major shift in digital media personalities moving from platform-led content to independent creator ecosystems. This move reflected broader changes in audience expectations around authenticity, monetization, and creative control.
Below is a structured overview of the key dimensions that explain why the Try Guys left BuzzFeed, followed by deeper thematic analysis and direct audience questions.
| Name | Role at BuzzFeed | Primary Content Focus | Reason for Leaving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Habersberger | Producer and Host | Food, challenges, lifestyle | Pursuit of full ownership and long-term brand building |
| Nyma Tang | Host and Producer | Beauty, culture, social experiments | Creative independence and expanded storytelling formats |
| Katherine Davis | Host and Producer | Experiments, culture, viral concepts | Ownership of intellectual property and flexible collaboration |
| Marcos Sittón | Director and Producer | Direction, editing, narrative experiments | Greater editorial control and sustainable production models |
Creative Constraints at BuzzFeed
As BuzzFeed scaled, standardized content processes and performance-driven mandates increasingly limited the ability of personality-led series to evolve. The Try Guys often described friction between their desire to experiment and rigid editorial calendars, approval layers, and data-centric decision-making.
When high-performing formats are prioritized over experimental storytelling, hosts with distinct voices may feel boxed into narrow content lanes. Creative constraints around topics, branding, and monetization ultimately pushed the Try Guys to seek environments where they could own narrative arcs from concept to release.
Ownership and Intellectual Property
One of the most cited drivers behind the Try Guys leaving BuzzFeed was the pursuit of full ownership over their projects and brand identity. Platform-based models often retain rights to content libraries, limiting long-term licensing, syndication, and merchandising opportunities for creators.
By launching independently, the Try Guys positioned themselves to build a sustainable ecosystem around their name, enabling diversified revenue streams beyond platform advertising splits and ensuring continuity regardless of platform algorithm changes.
Business Model and Revenue Independence
BuzzFeed’s advertising and platform-dependent revenue structure can create volatility for creators, especially during industry downturns or shifts in digital ad spending. The Try Guys cited the appeal of direct audience relationships through memberships, sponsorships, and owned products as a more stable financial foundation.
Independence allowed the Try Guys to design multi-revenue strategies that included subscriptions, branded partnerships on their own terms, and scalable ventures such as live experiences and digital products without platform revenue sharing.
Audience Evolution and Content Direction
Over time, the audience for BuzzFeed-style experiment content matured, seeking deeper authenticity, transparency, and niche appeal. The Try Guys leveraged their long-form YouTube presence to craft content that aligned more closely with adult interests, personal stories, and entrepreneurial themes.
Moving beyond short-form viral stunts enabled them to explore documentary-style series, behind-the-scenes business storytelling, and interactive live formats, resonating with a more invested community willing to financially support their vision.
Key Takeaways for Creators and Media Businesses
- Ownership of intellectual property is a primary lever for long-term creative and financial independence.
- Platform-dependent revenue models can create instability and limit experimentation as audience expectations evolve.
- Building direct audience relationships enables diversified revenue and more resilient growth during market shifts.
- Evolving audience segments require content strategies that balance mass appeal with niche authenticity.
- Collaborative separations can be structured to respect legacy work while enabling new independent ventures.
FAQ
Reader questions
Did the Try Guys leave BuzzFeed because they were fired?
No, the Try Guys left BuzzFuel as part of a mutual separation aligned with their goal to build their own company and own their content, rather than being terminated.
How did BuzzFeed react to the Try Guys leaving?
BuzzFeed acknowledged their contributions in internal announcements and external communications, emphasizing continued focus on emerging creator-led initiatives while respecting their transition.
What happens to the old BuzzFeed Try Guys videos after they left?
The legacy videos remain on BuzzFeed’s platforms and channels, but the Try Guys no longer produce new content for the company, instead directing their efforts toward independent projects.
Can fans still support the Try Guys financially after leaving BuzzFeed?
Yes, fans can support them through memberships, direct donations, merchandise purchases, and paid live experiences, which are central to their independent creator model.