What Versant Media does

Versant Media Group, Inc. is an independent publicly traded media company (Nasdaq: VSNT) created through Comcast's January 2026 tax-free spin-off, with an initial market capitalization of $4.73 billion. It operates a diversified portfolio of cable networks (USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW, Golf Channel, SYFY, E!, Oxygen) and digital platforms (Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, Free TV Networks) reaching over 100 million streaming households and more than 31 million weekly viewers on MS NOW alone. Its business model is anchored in pay-TV distribution fees (~80–83% of revenue) and advertising, with growing contributions from content licensing (e.g., the $121 million Kardashians deal to Hulu's Hulu), sports media rights (WNBA through 2036, PGA through 2033), digital subscriptions, and DTC initiatives including a planned CNBC subscription service and ad-supported Fandango streaming. The company's strategic posture is a deliberate pivot away from structurally declining linear TV toward non-linear revenue (targeting 33% within 3–5 years and 50% long-term), executed through acquisitions such as StockStory (AI financial analysis), Free TV Networks (FAST and over-the-air), and INDY Cinema Group, alongside divestitures like SportsEngine and minority bets on emerging formats such as GammaTime's microdramas. Versant employs 1,001–5,000 people, is headquartered at 229 West 43rd Street in New York City on a six-floor, 249,054 square-foot lease, and is led by CEO Mark Lazarus with CFO/COO Anand Kini.

Name

Versant Media

Legal name

Versant Media Group, Inc.

Website

https://versantmedia.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2026

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Versant Media is an independent publicly traded media company (Nasdaq: VSNT) spun off from Comcast in January 2026, operating cable networks (USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW, Golf Channel) and digital platforms (Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow) while pivoting from declining pay-TV toward digital, sports rights, and DTC revenue streams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cable Television and Digital Media

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Media Buying Agencies (54183)

SIC

Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

General Entertainment Cable Networks (MPABAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Cable Networks (MPABAFAD), Partner Integrations & Distribution (App Stores, Channels, OEM/Carrier Bundles) (MPAHAJAO), National General-Entertainment Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAA)

Keywords

• Cable television networks
• Digital media platforms
• Sports broadcasting
• Free ad-supported streaming
• Golf services marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Pay-TV Distribution: Fees paid by cable and satellite distributors to carry Versant's cable networks (CNBC, USA Network, Syfy, E!, Golf Channel, MS NOW, Oxygen). This remains the largest revenue stream but is declining due to cord-cutting.
2. Advertising Revenue: Traditional TV advertising sales across all networks, including sports, entertainment, and news programming. Facing pressure from digital platforms but remains significant.
3. Content Licensing: Revenue from licensing content to other platforms, including the $121 million deal for Keeping Up With the Kardashians content to Disney's Hulu. Growing through strategic licensing deals.
4. Digital Platforms: Revenue from digital properties including Fandango (ticketing and streaming), Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow (tee time marketplace), and GolfPass (membership). Sub-segment showing 9.5% growth with $192 million revenue.
5. Sports Media Rights: Revenue from sports media rights deals including WNBA (11-year deal), golf properties, and other sports programming that drives viewership and advertising revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Versant Media operates a diversified portfolio of cable television networks (USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW, SYFY, E!, Oxygen, Golf Channel), sports programming (USA Sports), and digital consumer platforms (Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, Free TV Networks). The company generates revenue through pay-TV distribution fees, advertising sales, content licensing, digital subscriptions, and tee-time marketplace transactions across news, entertainment, sports, and golf verticals.

Product overview

Versant Media operates as a diversified media and entertainment company with a portfolio of cable television networks, digital platforms, and streaming services. The core products include USA Network, SYFY, Oxygen, CNBC, Golf Channel, E!, and MS NOW for television/broadcast; Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes as digital entertainment platforms; GolfNow and GolfPass for golf services; and USA Sports for sports broadcasting. The company also owns Free TV Networks (FAST channels) and has recently acquired StockStory for AI-powered financial insights. The portfolio spans business news, political news, golf, sports entertainment, and general entertainment genres.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• USA Network: Cable television network featuring entertainment programming, sports coverage, and original drama series including Anna Pigeon
• CNBC
• MS NOW
• SYFY
• E!
• Oxygen
• Golf Channel
• USA Sports
• Fandango
• Rotten Tomatoes
• GolfNow
• GolfPass
• Free TV Networks

Products and services

• USA Network Cable television network offering entertainment programming including original dramas, reality shows, and live sports (WNBA, League One Volleyball) for general entertainment audiences via pay-TV distribution.
• SYFY Cable television network specializing in science fiction and genre entertainment programming for fans of speculative fiction content.
• Oxygen Cable television network focused on true crime programming and investigation-focused content for true crime enthusiasts.
• CNBC Business and financial news cable network and digital platform providing real-time market data, financial news, investment-related programming, and AI-powered investment insights for retail investors and business professionals.
• Golf Channel Cable television network providing live golf tournament coverage (PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour), studio programming, and golf news for golf enthusiasts.
• E! Cable television network and digital platform covering entertainment news, reality programming, awards shows, and pop culture content.
• MS NOW Cable television network delivering political news and opinion programming for politically engaged American audiences.
• Rotten Tomatoes Digital entertainment platform providing movie and television reviews, critic and audience ratings, and streaming/ticketing discovery services for entertainment consumers.
• USA Sports Sports broadcasting division covering WNBA, golf, Pac-12 football, NASCAR, Premier League, WWE, and other sports properties distributed across USA Network, Golf Channel, and CNBC.
• GolfNow Online tee-time marketplace and golf course management software platform connecting golfers with available tee times at courses across the US and international markets, with Trackman simulator integration.
• Fandango Digital movie ticketing platform and streaming service (Fandango at Home) offering theatrical ticket purchasing, streaming content access, and entertainment discovery for moviegoers and streaming consumers.
• Free TV Networks Free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels distributed across digital platforms and over-the-air broadcast, including Outlaw, Busted, 365BLK, and Pam Grier's Soul Flix channels.
• GolfPass Paid golf membership program providing tee time credits, waived booking fees, streaming video lessons, and special playing perks for golf enthusiasts.
• StockStory AI-powered financial analysis platform providing investment reports, market insights, and stock recommendations using data, machine learning, and AI for retail investors.
• Anna Pigeon Original scripted drama series on USA Network based on Nevada Barr novels, starring Tracy Spiridakos as a park ranger solving crimes.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2026Two-year national partnership marking Versant's launch of its enterprise-wide community impact strategy focused on education, opportunity, and youth empowerment. Provides workforce readiness exposure to media, sports and entertainment careers; real-world experiences including red carpet events and live sports competitions; digital literacy training; and mentorship connecting youth with industry leaders.
• StockStorycoreTechnology or Integration · 2 April 2026Acquisition of StockStory, an AI-powered financial analysis platform that provides investment reports, market insights, and stock recommendations. The platform combines data, machine learning, and AI to generate investment insights on public companies. Team, including founder Adam Hejl, joins Versant to support CNBC's digital investing capabilities.
• CBScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 February 2026Multi-platform distribution agreement with CBS for Free TV Networks content. Under the deal, FTN's 365BLK and Outlaw broadcast networks launched across 16 CBS Owned & Operated markets, expanding 365BLK's consumer availability to 92% of U.S. television households and Outlaw's reach to over 90%.
• Sling FreestreamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 February 2026Free TV Networks' Pam Grier's Soul Flix channel added to Sling Freestream streaming platform, growing its footprint beyond 13 million hours already viewed since January 2025 launch.
• League One Volleyball (LOVB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVersant's USA Sports holds media rights to League One Volleyball, airing matches on USA Network, ESPN, and Victory+. The league's games feature primetime Wednesday night slots on USA Network as part of women's sports programming strategy.
• CIMM (Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVersant joined CIMM as a member and joined its Steering Committee. CIMM focuses on CTV and streaming measurement convergence, advertising effectiveness, and AI integration in media planning.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Roku: Operates Roku Channel, a leading FAST platform that distributes third-party FAST channels including Versant's content. Functions as both a competitor for streaming audience attention and a critical distribution platform for Free TV Networks channels.
• NBCUniversal (Comcast): Former parent company of Versant; retains NBC broadcast network, Peacock streaming, and Universal Pictures. Continues to be a partner via NBCUniversal upfront presentations but now competes with Versant for advertising and audience share.

Direct peers

• The E.W. Scripps Company: Operates broadcast TV stations, cable networks (ION, Bounce), and free streaming services. Smaller-scale but similar portfolio of broadcast networks and ad-supported streaming facing identical cord-cutting dynamics.
• Fox Corporation: Operates Fox News, Fox Sports, Fox Broadcasting, and Tubi FAST platform—comparable portfolio of news, sports, and entertainment networks plus streaming. Similar news/sports-led diversification strategy and FAST channel expansion model.
• Warner Bros. Discovery: Operates cable networks (CNN, TNT, TBS, HGTV, Food Network, TLC) and streaming service Max—directly comparable diversified cable networks + streaming model facing identical cord-cutting and streaming transition pressures as Versant.
• Paramount Global: Operates cable networks (MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Network) plus Paramount+ streaming and Pluto TV FAST channels. Direct competitor in cable networks and FAST distribution with similar pay-TV-to-streaming transition challenges.

Broad incumbents

• TelevisaUnivision: Operates Univision and UniMás broadcast networks plus ViX streaming service targeting Hispanic audiences. Comparable cable/broadcast + streaming transition model though focused on Spanish-language market segment.
• The Walt Disney Company: Operates ESPN, Disney Channel, ABC, and Disney+/Hulu/Max streaming bundle. A larger diversified incumbent with broader portfolio including parks and studio—competes with Versant on sports rights (ESPN vs USA Sports) and entertainment programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VersantMedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/versantmedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/versant-media

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Versant Media