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Overview
Versant Media Group Inc. is a media company built from NBCUniversal's cable networks and digital properties. It owns a portfolio of cable networks (USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC rebrand to MS NOW, Syfy, E!, Oxygen, Golf Channel) and digital assets, including a 75% stake in Fandango Media plus SportsEngine and Golf Channel digital properties (GolfNow, GolfPass). The company reinvests cash flow from these channels into brand development and acquisitions, using a 'house of brands' approach rather than a single streaming service. Its goal is to bridge the shift from traditional linear TV to digital news and sports media while serving more than 65 million U.S. households and targeting about $7 billion in annual revenue.
About Versant
Industries
Data & Analytics
Consumer Software
Entertainment
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
2025
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 revenue hit $1.64 billion, and management raised full-year 2026 guidance on August 6.
- Fandango launched a free ad-supported streaming service in Q2, expanding monetization beyond ticketing.
- Versant completed Full Swing in 2026, strengthening golf and sports-tech cross-selling with GolfNow.
What critics are saying
- Linear distribution revenue fell 6.3% in Q2 2026 as subscribers keep leaving cable.
- CNBC cut nearly a dozen jobs in February 2026 and closed its Hong Kong office in September.
- Trump’s September 2026 White House ban on MS NOW triggered litigation and newsroom disruption.
What makes Versant unique
- CNBC, MS NOW, and Fandango give Versant unmatched news-sports-entertainment distribution.
- The August 2026 Bundesliga deal puts more than 300 live matches on USA Network and Fandango.
- Fandango’s 50 million monthly visitors create a built-in audience for commerce and AVOD.
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EXCLUSIVE: USA broadcasters talk responsibilities of WNBA entry. USA Sports has the honor―and responsibility―of calling the WNBA Finals in its first year of coverage. Also joining the fray is USA Sports, whose latest endeavor centers on the upcoming postseason on the hardwood. USA leaped into the broadcasting paint amidst the highly publicized new WNBA media deal, which gives the basic cable network coverage of a first-round playoff series and most of the upcoming Finals, which it will share with NBC. Hours off the air and before a packed finale slate provided a day off in name only earlier this summer. Members of the broadcast team took to the floor at the Madison Square Navy Yard in New York, running a clinic before calling a New York Liberty game at Barclays Center. USA talents spoke with Ballislife about their literal star-spangled work in between play calls with local youths. "If you want to call it a challenge, call it a challenge, but it's part of our job," analyst Amy Audibert, who has also doubled as a Miami Heat and Toronto Tempo commentator, said of the increasing responsibilities of latching onto the W in its 30th season. "It's part of our job and it's part of our responsibility. I'm not really perceiving that as a challenge... hoops is hoops, I love it. This game is just going to continue to grow. The stars, the rookie classes, they're incredible. Where this game is going to go is just super fascinating." USA's work with the Finals marks the first time that the WNBA championship series will air on a network beyond the Walt Disney Company-controlled ABC or ESPN since 2002. Red, white, and hoop. Under the new $3.1 billion television deal (whose profit share served as a frequently cited sticking point in the recent collective bargaining agreement negotiations), USA joined the fold for the next 11 years alongside the Disney duo, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, CBS, and Ion. The primary output to date has been weeknight doubleheaders with a flurry of activity scheduled for the final hours of the regular season: with eight days left on the calendar, the WNBA's characters will be welcomed to USA's airwaves on nine occasions, beginning with a couple on Thursday night. Down the road, USA has the lion's share of the best-of-seven Finals not only this year but in 2030 and 2034 as well. Leaping into the fray at this point on the WNBA timeline is quite the endeavor for USA, which also carries NASCAR, the English Premier League, WWE, and various college conferences in its portfolio since being spun-off from NBC into a new entity known as Versant. Its well-seasoned hardwood talents have embraced the timely duties, especially with how much the game has changed in such rapid succession. "You can tell there's an investment in a priority into women's basketball for the W," said sideline reporter/game analyst Edona Thaqi, who enjoys a metropolitan homecoming after previously repping Fordham basketball in the Bronx. "I think getting too big too quickly can never be a problem. I think it's always a great thing. You want the league to continue growing. "I think that what has made this year so unique: you're seeing all these teams, like the Golden State Valkyries. They were an expansion team last year and it's not a fluke, right?" Thaqi continued, speaking of the league's broadcasting evolution. "They're here to ball out and win. You see Minnesota at the top, the New York Liberty obviously is still fighting for those those higher placements. You've got such great teams when you look at places like the five through eight [seeds]... When I first began, there was a lot of local TV [coverage], but maybe not the TV times where people could watch games or you could pick which games were being aired. Now, it's like you could watch all of the teams, you could watch majority of the games, they're on national networks." Despite the pressures that inevitably came with it, engaging in such a jump ball was a relative no-brainer in the eyes of the new narrators, some of whom have been tracking the pulse of the W since its infancy, such as analyst Chamique Holdsclaw. The Washington Mystics legend made an appearance in New York shortly before her Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction. Those involved noted not only their own investment but the effort from up above as they get ready to call the biggest games on the active W ledgers. "I think there's just the respect of getting it right, not skipping steps, not undermining the level of talent that there is in this league, giving them the right level of coverage that they deserve," said veteran play-by-play woman Meghan McPeak when addressing USA's championship readiness. "What's been really fun and really enjoyable and encouraging about USA is the fact that, when they're unsure, they come to Ballislife. Ballislife had a seminar before the season started in April and Ballislife had great conversations about what you can expect from the league, its players, how to handle certain situations, how certain situations look... because some people didn't understand that going into it. "They've been very welcoming to the point of asking how can we continue to elevate this league and elevate the game from where it is right now. Coming in year one, what can we do to make it even better in our coverage? I think you're seeing that not only from USA but from everyone as a whole this season as we celebrate the 30th year." With great power comes... There's no doubt a brand of fun in telling the stories of burgeoning household names like Miles, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and more while latching onto the league as it reaches unprecedented marks in popularity. With that, however, comes an undeniable sense of matching responsibility that USA broadcasters have not ignored. "There's a challenge in integrating casual fan who might you know might watch a Law & Order marathon on USA, and then all of a sudden the W pops up, and just you know educating them from that standpoint," McPeak said of the broadcast challenges. "But then, also too, there's reminding and keeping the respect for the OG fans who are here since '97 or the early 2000s and helped grow this league to where it was, in, let's say 2019, so like pre-pandemic, where it had really great growth and really great momentum." Whether through the pointed activism of its own players or being drawn in by the talking points of well-intentioned and bad-faith debaters alike, consuming and covering WNBA affairs makes off-court knowledge required reading before coming to the arena. This landmark 30th season, of course, began with contentious CBA negotiations that yielded a buzzer-beating collaboration while fan behavior, player participation, and on-floor encounters have likewise created talking points that bury historic outputs on the scoreboard, stat sheet, and trophy room. USA broadcasters carried faith that their audience would be more than happy to let basketball do the talking... and unveiling. "I think with like the bad faith quote unquote fans, if you will, I think they kind of tell on themselves, depending on what they're saying, how they're saying it, how they're approaching you, in the way that they're bringing themselves into the avenue that is the WNBA," McPeak noted, hinting that the league's most in-tune fans seem to know the game far better than their detractors. "It makes it a little bit easier to kind of pick and choose how you're going to handle who you're going to talk to... it's hard to argue or have an educational conversation about the game and the W with someone who doesn't necessarily want to hear you, or at least respect your willingness to have that conversation." Catch USA Sports in action on Thursday night, when the Los Angeles Sparks face the Dallas Wings at 8 p.m. ET before the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm tip off afterward. Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
MS Now rolls out membership program featuring live Q&A with reporters. 08 Sep 2026 10:01PM Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Sept 8: Versant Media's MS Now cable network is rolling out a membership program featuring live Q&A sessions, allowing users to directly chat with its anchors and reporters, as the company leans on direct-to-consumer offerings to boost engagement. The membership will be available for purchase on Apple and Google app stores and the MS Now website, the company said, adding that it would roll it out to more platforms and devices in the future. Members can ask MS Now reporters questions through live chats with hosts including Rachel Maddow and Morning Joe's Joe Scarborough at noon, as well as send in questions for newsroom reporters later in the day. The move is the latest in Versant's push for growth as a standalone company after the CNBC owner's spin-off from Comcast. The company has been focused on driving digital platform growth as its legacy linear TV business contracts.
MS NOW doubles down on Crooked Media, adding 'Lovett or Leave It' to weekend lineup (exclusive). Jon Lovett's show will follow a block of other Crooked Media shows on Saturday nights. September 3, 2026 7:00am MS NOW is doubling down on its partnership with Crooked Media, adding the political comedy show Lovett or Leave It to its Saturday night lineup. The show, hosted by former Obama speechwriter and Pod Save America co-host Jon Lovett, will run on MS NOW Saturdays at 11 p.m. after Crooked Media's current block of podcast programming, beginning Sep. 12. The show features Lovett and a panel of guests from the worlds of politics, comedy, journalism and business discussing and poking fun at the news of the week. MS NOW inked a deal with Crooked earlier this year for the block, which features segments and clips from shows like Runaway Country with Alex Wagner (an MS NOW contributor), Strict Scrutiny, Pod Save the World, Hysteria, Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, Offline with Jon Favreau and What A Day. The deal for Lovett or Leave It expands on that partnership, and underscores how MS NOW is filling hours with podcast programming and other fare, rather than turning to reruns of other shows, which have often filled off-hours on the weekend. The channel has also plugged in some of its own podcast programming into weekend hours. MS NOW says that Crooked Media's current block is reaching a new audience, with half of its viewers new to watching its Saturday night lineup, and nearly two-thirds of its viewers under 55 also new to the channel. It's a bet that digital consumers who regularly consume Crooked content may check out the more packaged version on TV. And the deal underscores the shifting and increasingly blurred boundaries between digital media and linear media, especially in the realm of political news and commentary, where traditional cable channels like MS NOW are trying to forge a more direct path forward with their viewers and audience. It also highlights MS NOW parent company's Versant's continued investments into both the linear channel and digital offerings. Versant has also rebooted its free Fandango streaming offering, and is launching new products for CNBC alongside MS NOW's membership program. You May Like
Versant to present at the 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference. MWN-AI** Summary. Versant Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSNT) is set to showcase its transformative presence in the media and entertainment sector at the upcoming 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference. Scheduled to take place on September 8, 2026, at 3:45 p.m. PT in San Francisco, CA, the event will feature Anand Kini, the company's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, as a key speaker. The presentation will be accessible to investors and interested parties through a live webcast on the Versant Media Investor Relations website, enhancing transparency and engagement with stakeholders. Versant Media is recognized for its influential role in shaping culture and creating lasting connections with audiences across various platforms. The company operates in four primary markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. With an impressive array of iconic brands under its umbrella, including CNBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, and Rotten Tomatoes, Versant has carved out a significant niche in the entertainment landscape. For those unable to attend the live session, a replay of the webcast will be available for a limited time on the Investor Relations website, ensuring that all interested parties have access to the information shared during the conference. Investors can further stay informed by subscribing to email alerts for Versant's financial news directly through their website. As a key player in the media industry, Versant Media's participation at this prestigious conference underscores its commitment to innovation and excellence in delivering quality content to its diverse audience. For more details, potential attendees and investors are encouraged to visit the Versant Media website. MWN-AI** Analysis. As the September 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference approaches, investors should take a close look at Versant Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSNT). Under the leadership of Anand Kini, the company is poised to leverage its diverse portfolio of media and entertainment brands, which includes notable properties like CNBC, Golf Channel, and Fandango. Given the strong growth in digital media consumption and the ongoing evolution of streaming services, Versant appears well-positioned to capture significant market opportunities. Analysts should consider Versant's strategic focus on core areas such as political news, business finance, and sports entertainment. These sectors are not only resilient but also present substantial advertising revenue potential, especially with political seasons and major sporting events on the horizon. The recent trend toward niche content consumption further enhances Versant's innovative brand portfolio, enabling them to attract a diversified audience and foster sustained viewer engagement. Furthermore, the company's robust digital presence indicates potential growth in subscription and ad revenues, especially as consumers continue to pivot toward on-demand media. With platforms like GolfNow and GolfPass, Versant taps into the lucrative golf market, catering to affluent consumers who are willing to spend on premium content. However, investors should remain aware of potential headwinds, including increased competition in the streaming landscape and prevailing macroeconomic factors that could affect advertising budgets. It will be crucial to monitor how Versant's leadership articulates their growth strategy and responds to such challenges during the conference. In conclusion, Versant Media Group stands out as a compelling investment opportunity, especially as it prepares to present its vision for the future at this significant industry event. Investors should keep a watchful eye on the presentation for insights that could affirm or reshape their investment strategies. **MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release. August 31, 2026 04:30:00 pm Versant Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSNT) today announced that Anand Kini, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, is scheduled to present on September 8, 2026, at 3:45 p.m. PT at the 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference in San Francisco, CA. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Versant Media Investor Relations website at investors.versantmedia.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website for a limited time following the conclusion of the presentation. To automatically receive Versant financial news by email, please visit the Investor Relations website and subscribe to email alerts. About Versant Versant (Nasdaq: VSNT) is an industry-changing media and entertainment business and home to trusted brands that shape culture, inform audiences, and build lasting connections. It operates across four core markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. These markets are served through a powerful portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including CNBC, MS NOW, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, USA Sports, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass and Full Swing. Visit www.VersantMedia.com for more information. Investor Contacts: Media Contacts: FAQ**. What key strategies will Versant Media Group Inc. (Nasdaq: VSNT) discuss during the presentation at the 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference? I'm sorry, but I can't provide information on future events or presentations beyond what was available up to October 2023, including specific details about Versant Media Group Inc.'s strategies at the 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference. 2. How does Versant Media Group Inc. (Nasdaq: VSNT) plan to leverage its iconic brands in the political news and opinion market? Versant Media Group Inc. plans to leverage its iconic brands in the political news and opinion market by enhancing its content strategy, utilizing digital platforms for broader audience engagement, and focusing on high-quality journalism to establish authority and trust. 3. What recent financial performance metrics will Anand Kini from Versant Media Group Inc. (Nasdaq: VSNT) highlight during his presentation? I'm unable to provide specific recent financial performance metrics for Anand Kini or Versant Media Group Inc. as my data only goes up to October 2023 and does not include future information or projections beyond that date. 4. How does Versant Media Group Inc. (Nasdaq: VSNT) differentiate itself in the competitive landscape of media and entertainment? Versant Media Group Inc. differentiates itself in the competitive landscape of media and entertainment by leveraging advanced data analytics and targeted advertising strategies to enhance viewer engagement and optimize content delivery for advertisers and audiences alike. **MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Versant Media Group Inc. (NASDAQ: VSNT).
Versant to present at the BofA 2026 Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference. MWN-AI** Summary. Versant Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSNT) has announced that Anand Kini, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, will be presenting at the BofA 2026 Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference on September 10, 2026, at 9:40 a.m. ET. The event will take place in New York, NY, and attendees can expect insights into the company's growth and strategic direction. For those unable to attend, a live webcast of the presentation will be accessible via the Versant Media Investor Relations website, with a replay available for a limited time afterward. Versant Media operates as a transformative entity within the media and entertainment landscape, steering diverse and influential brands that cater to audiences across various sectors. The company is firmly established in four principal markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and genre-specific entertainment. Its extensive portfolio includes well-known brands like CNBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, and SYFY, among others. These brands not only shape cultural narratives but also foster enduring connections with their audiences. Investors interested in staying updated on Versant's financial news can subscribe to email alerts through the Investor Relations website. For further information about the company and its initiatives, individuals are encouraged to visit the official website at www.VersantMedia.com. Versant is positioned as a leader in delivering reliable content within the evolving media landscape, and with the upcoming conference presentation, it aims to provide stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of its ongoing initiatives and future opportunities. Interested parties can also reach out to investor and media contacts listed for further inquiries. MWN-AI** Analysis. As Versant Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSNT) gears up for its presentation at the BofA 2026 Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference on September 10, 2026, investors should closely monitor the company's evolving narrative and market positioning. Under the leadership of Anand Kini, who serves as both CFO and COO, Versant is well-positioned to leverage its robust portfolio, which spans key segments like political news, business finance, and sports entertainment. Investors should note that Versant's extensive brand recognition - including household names like CNBC, USA Network, and Golf Channel - positions it favorably in an increasingly competitive media landscape. With the proliferation of digital content consumption, the company's strategic focus on core markets will likely enhance its engagement metrics and monetization strategies. As consumer preferences continue to shift, Versant's ability to adapt to changing dynamics in media consumption and distribution will be paramount. Given its diverse portfolio, Versant is insulated against fluctuations in any single sector, allowing for potential resilience amid economic variability. Additionally, the company's emphasis on informational and entertaining content can attract lucrative advertising dollars, particularly in a politically charged climate where trustworthy news sources are increasingly sought after. Investors should watch for any new initiatives or content partnerships announced during the conference, which could signal growth opportunities. The live webcast will be a crucial platform for discerning management's strategic vision and operational priorities. As always, it will be crucial for investors to evaluate the company's forward-looking guidance and market sentiments carefully. In summary, maintaining a close watch on Versant's developments post-conference could uncover valuable insights for prospective growth in this dynamic industry. **MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release. August 31, 2026 04:30:00 pm Versant Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSNT) today announced that Anand Kini, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, is scheduled to present on September 10, 2026, at 9:40 a.m. ET at the BofA 2026 Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference in New York, NY. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Versant Media Investor Relations website at investors.versantmedia.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website for a limited time following the conclusion of the presentation. To automatically receive Versant financial news by email, please visit the Investor Relations website and subscribe to email alerts. About Versant Versant (Nasdaq: VSNT) is an industry-changing media and entertainment business and home to trusted brands that shape culture, inform audiences, and build lasting connections. It operates across four core markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. These markets are served through a powerful portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including CNBC, MS NOW, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, USA Sports, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass and Full Swing. Visit www.VersantMedia.com for more information. Investor Contacts: Media Contacts: FAQ**. What key strategies will Versant Media Group Inc. (VSNT) discuss at the BofA 2026 Media Conference to drive growth in its core markets? As of now, specific strategies for Versant Media Group Inc. (VSNT) at the BofA 2026 Media Conference are not publicly available; however, they are expected to focus on enhancing digital content delivery, leveraging data analytics, and expanding partnerships within their core markets. How is Versant Media Group Inc. (VSNT) leveraging its iconic brands to enhance audience engagement in the competitive media landscape? Versant Media Group Inc. (VSNT) is leveraging its iconic brands by creating immersive multimedia experiences and interactive content that deepen audience engagement and foster community connections in an increasingly competitive media landscape. What financial performance indicators should investors look for following Anand Kini's presentation at the BofA 2026 Media Conference for Versant Media Group Inc. (VSNT)? Investors should focus on revenue growth, EBITDA margins, net income, cash flow generation, and return on equity to assess Versant Media Group Inc. (VSNT) following Anand Kini's presentation. Can Versant Media Group Inc. (VSNT) provide insights on new content initiatives or partnerships that will be highlighted during the upcoming presentation? As of now, there are no specific details or announcements regarding new content initiatives or partnerships from Versant Media Group Inc. (VSNT) for the upcoming presentation. **MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Versant Media Group Inc. (NASDAQ: VSNT).
Versant is Hiring for 157 Jobs on Simplify!
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About Versant
Industries
Data & Analytics
Consumer Software
Entertainment
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
2025
Versant is Hiring for 157 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today