Versant Media (VSNT)
Market Price (7/6/2026): $37.95 | Market Cap: $5.4 BilSector: Communication Services | Industry: Cable & Satellite
Versant Media (VSNT)
Market Price (7/6/2026): $37.95Market Cap: $5.4 BilSector: Communication ServicesIndustry: Cable & Satellite
Investment Highlights Why It Matters Detailed financial logic regarding cash flow yields vs trend-riding momentum.
Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 24%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 20% Attractive operating marginsOp Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 27% Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 42% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -41%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -75% | Key risksVSNT key risks include [1] reduced bargaining power in distribution negotiations as a result of its recent spin-off and [2] the high execution risk and capital intensity of transitioning to digital as a new, Show more. |
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 24%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 20% |
| Attractive operating marginsOp Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 27% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 42% |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -41%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -75% |
| Key risksVSNT key risks include [1] reduced bargaining power in distribution negotiations as a result of its recent spin-off and [2] the high execution risk and capital intensity of transitioning to digital as a new, Show more. |
Qualitative Assessment
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Versant Media (VSNT) stock has gained about 5% since 3/31/2026 because of the following key factors:
1. Mixed Fiscal Q1 2026 Financial Results. Versant Media reported a 1.1% year-over-year revenue decline, reaching $1.69 billion, and a 22% drop in net income to $286 million for fiscal Q1 2026, largely attributed to higher standalone costs and increased interest expense following its spin-off from Comcast in January 2026. Despite these declines, the company surpassed analyst expectations with diluted EPS of $1.99, beating estimates by $0.17 per share. Additionally, Versant demonstrated strong financial health through its operating cash flow, which increased to $585 million, and generated $558 million in free cash flow. This blend of positive cash flow and an earnings beat, despite top-line and net income pressures, contributed to a relatively stable stock performance.
2. Strategic Pivot Towards Digital Platforms Amidst Traditional Media Headwinds. The company continued to experience significant pressure on its linear distribution and advertising revenues, which declined by 7.3% and 5.2% respectively in fiscal Q1 2026, primarily due to ongoing cord-cutting trends. However, Versant Media demonstrated growth in its "Platforms" segment, which saw a 9.5% revenue increase, and content licensing revenue more than doubled. This strategic shift towards digital initiatives, including the acquisition of AI-driven financial insights platform StockStory in April 2026 to bolster CNBC's digital offerings, aligns with broader media industry trends focusing on digital engagement and diverse content monetization. The balancing act between declining legacy assets and growing digital segments likely led to a largely flat stock movement.
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Versant Media (VSNT) stock has gained about 5% since 3/31/2026 because of the following key factors:
1. Mixed Fiscal Q1 2026 Financial Results. Versant Media reported a 1.1% year-over-year revenue decline, reaching $1.69 billion, and a 22% drop in net income to $286 million for fiscal Q1 2026, largely attributed to higher standalone costs and increased interest expense following its spin-off from Comcast in January 2026. Despite these declines, the company surpassed analyst expectations with diluted EPS of $1.99, beating estimates by $0.17 per share. Additionally, Versant demonstrated strong financial health through its operating cash flow, which increased to $585 million, and generated $558 million in free cash flow. This blend of positive cash flow and an earnings beat, despite top-line and net income pressures, contributed to a relatively stable stock performance.
2. Strategic Pivot Towards Digital Platforms Amidst Traditional Media Headwinds. The company continued to experience significant pressure on its linear distribution and advertising revenues, which declined by 7.3% and 5.2% respectively in fiscal Q1 2026, primarily due to ongoing cord-cutting trends. However, Versant Media demonstrated growth in its "Platforms" segment, which saw a 9.5% revenue increase, and content licensing revenue more than doubled. This strategic shift towards digital initiatives, including the acquisition of AI-driven financial insights platform StockStory in April 2026 to bolster CNBC's digital offerings, aligns with broader media industry trends focusing on digital engagement and diverse content monetization. The balancing act between declining legacy assets and growing digital segments likely led to a largely flat stock movement.
3. Robust Capital Return Program. Versant Media actively returned capital to shareholders during the period, which helped to support its stock price. The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.375 per share, with the second dividend payable in July 2026 to shareholders of record as of July 1, 2026. Furthermore, Versant repurchased $100 million of its Class A common stock in fiscal Q1 2026 and announced a plan for an additional $100 million accelerated share repurchase program for fiscal Q2 2026, under a larger $1 billion authorization. These consistent efforts to enhance shareholder value likely provided a floor for the stock, mitigating potential downward pressure from other factors.
4. Neutral Analyst Sentiment and Price Targets. Throughout the period, Wall Street analysts largely maintained a "Hold" consensus rating for Versant Media. Out of eight analysts, six issued "Hold" ratings, with only one "Buy" and one "Sell" rating. The average 12-month price target for VSNT ranged between $40.40 and $43.33, suggesting a modest potential upside from its price level at the end of the period. This general consensus indicated that analysts perceived the stock to be fairly valued, with no significant catalysts expected to drive substantial price movements in either direction, thus contributing to its largely stable trend.
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Stock Movement Drivers
Fundamental Drivers
The 4.7% change in VSNT stock from 3/31/2026 to 7/5/2026 was primarily driven by a 0.0% change in the company's P/E Multiple.| (LTM values as of) | 3312026 | 7052026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Price ($) | 36.26 | 37.95 | 4.7% |
| Change Contribution By: | |||
| Total Revenues ($ Mil) | � | � | 0.0% |
| Net Income Margin (%) | � | � | 0.0% |
| P/E Multiple | � | � | 0.0% |
| Shares Outstanding (Mil) | 145 | 145 | 0.0% |
| Cumulative Contribution | 0.0% |
Market Drivers
3/31/2026 to 7/5/2026| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| VSNT | 4.7% | |
| Market (SPY) | 14.5% | 21.6% |
| Sector (XLC) | -1.1% | 29.5% |
Fundamental Drivers
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Market Drivers
12/31/2025 to 7/5/2026| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| VSNT | ||
| Market (SPY) | 9.5% | 23.1% |
| Sector (XLC) | -6.6% | 31.0% |
Fundamental Drivers
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Market Drivers
6/30/2025 to 7/5/2026| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| VSNT | ||
| Market (SPY) | 21.6% | 23.1% |
| Sector (XLC) | 2.0% | 31.0% |
Fundamental Drivers
nullnull
Market Drivers
6/30/2023 to 7/5/2026| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| VSNT | ||
| Market (SPY) | 74.0% | 23.1% |
| Sector (XLC) | 73.7% | 31.0% |
Price Returns Compared
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| VSNT Return | - | - | - | - | - | -9% | -9% |
| Peers Return | 11% | -36% | 7% | -9% | 59% | -9% | -0% |
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 9% | 99% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| VSNT Win Rate | - | - | - | - | - | 71% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 43% | 40% | 58% | 50% | 57% | 51% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 43% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| VSNT Max Drawdown | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -41% | -53% | -44% | -42% | -34% | -29% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -5% | -25% | -10% | -8% | -19% | -9% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] Peers: WBD, FOXA, AMCX, NWSA, SSP.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2026 data is for the year up to 7/2/2026 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
VSNT has limited trading history. Below is the Communication Services sector ETF (XLC) in its place.
| Event | XLC | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 US Tariff Shock | ||
| % Loss | -17.7% | -18.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 21.5% | 23.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 63 days | 79 days |
| 2022 Inflation Shock & Fed Tightening | ||
| % Loss | -38.7% | -24.5% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 63.1% | 32.4% |
| Time to Breakeven | 470 days | 427 days |
| 2020 COVID-19 Crash | ||
| % Loss | -30.1% | -33.7% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 43.2% | 50.9% |
| Time to Breakeven | 112 days | 140 days |
| Q4 2018 Fed Policy Error / Growth Scare | ||
| % Loss | -20.2% | -19.2% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 25.3% | 23.8% |
| Time to Breakeven | 109 days | 105 days |
In The Past
State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF's stock fell -17.7% during the 2025 US Tariff Shock. Such a loss loss requires a 21.5% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth.
Asset Allocation
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VSNT has limited trading history. Below is the Communication Services sector ETF (XLC) in its place.
| Event | XLC | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock & Fed Tightening | ||
| % Loss | -38.7% | -24.5% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 63.1% | 32.4% |
| Time to Breakeven | 470 days | 427 days |
| 2020 COVID-19 Crash | ||
| % Loss | -30.1% | -33.7% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 43.2% | 50.9% |
| Time to Breakeven | 112 days | 140 days |
| Q4 2018 Fed Policy Error / Growth Scare | ||
| % Loss | -20.2% | -19.2% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 25.3% | 23.8% |
| Time to Breakeven | 109 days | 105 days |
In The Past
State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF's stock fell -17.7% during the 2025 US Tariff Shock. Such a loss loss requires a 21.5% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
About Versant Media (VSNT)
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- Business Identification and Acquisition: Versant Media's primary activity involves identifying, evaluating, and acquiring assets or businesses to complete a qualifying transaction as defined by stock exchange policies, as it currently operates as a Capital Pool Company with no active commercial operations or products.
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Mark Lazarus, Chief Executive Officer
Mark Lazarus serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Versant. Prior to this role, he was the Chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group, where he oversaw NBCUniversal's TV and Streaming platforms, distribution, and monetization. He also served as Chairman, NBCUniversal Broadcast, Entertainment and Lifestyle Group, Sports and News, leading various content businesses including NBC News, CNBC, and the NBC Sports Group. Under his leadership at NBCUniversal, the company secured major deals with the Olympics, NFL, NASCAR, and the Premier League. Before joining NBCUniversal, Lazarus was President of Media and Marketing at CSE from 2008 to 2010 and President of Turner Entertainment Group from 2003 to 2008, where he managed all aspects of the networks.
Anand Kini, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer
Anand Kini holds the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Versant, responsible for finance, strategy, and operational functions. Before joining Versant, Kini was Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy at Comcast Corporation and served as Chief Financial Officer of NBCUniversal. In his role at NBCUniversal, he drove the company's global growth strategy and managed finance and strategy across the Media, Studio, and Theme Park divisions. He joined NBCUniversal in 2011 from Comcast Cable, where he was Senior Vice President of Finance, overseeing forecasting, budgeting, and strategic planning. Earlier in his career, from 2002 to 2007, Kini held various Finance and Strategy management roles at Activision Blizzard and Disney.
Val Boreland, President, Entertainment
Roy Cho, President, Distribution & Partnerships
Keith Cocozza, Chief Communications Officer
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Here are the key risks to Versant Media (symbol: VSNT):
- Secular Decline of Linear Television and Cord-Cutting: Versant Media Group, as a legacy cable content business, faces significant headwinds from the ongoing trend of cord-cutting, where consumers increasingly drop traditional cable television subscriptions in favor of streaming services. This trend is expected to lead to declining revenue and free cash flow for the company.
- Challenges with Carriage Deal Renewals and Post-Spin-off Independence: Having recently spun off from Comcast, Versant Media is no longer backed by the scale and leverage of a larger media conglomerate. A significant portion (55%) of its carriage deals, which are essential for distributing its content, are reportedly up for renewal by 2028, posing a substantial risk if the company cannot secure favorable terms independently.
- Necessity for Successful Digital Transformation and Innovation: To counteract the decline in its traditional linear television business, Versant Media needs to successfully innovate and diversify its revenue streams by expanding its digital platforms and services. There is a risk that the company's efforts to grow adjacent digital businesses may not be sufficient or timely enough to offset the ongoing secular decline in its core cable network portfolio, potentially requiring debt or equity infusions.
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Versant Media (VSNT) anticipates several key drivers for future revenue growth over the next two to three years, as indicated by recent earnings reports and company commentary.
Here are 3-5 expected drivers of future revenue growth:
- Expansion of Digital and Non-Pay TV Platforms: Versant Media is strategically shifting towards digital and non-pay TV revenue streams. The company aims to increase non-pay TV revenue from 19% in 2025 to a target of 33% over the next three to five years, with an eventual goal of 50%. This growth is expected to be driven by high single-digit organic growth in its platforms business, which includes assets like GolfNow and Fandango. New direct-to-consumer (D2C) initiatives for brands such as CNBC and MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), along with an advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) service through Fandango, are central to this strategy.
- Midterm Political Advertising: The company's revenue outlook for 2026, projected between $6.15 billion and $6.4 billion, is explicitly supported by anticipated midterm political advertising. This indicates that cyclical political advertising spending will be a significant revenue contributor during election years, offsetting some of the "advertising normalization" experienced in 2025 following the prior presidential election cycle.
- Investments in Content and Platform Enhancement: Versant's management has highlighted ongoing investments in strengthening its programming, expanding its audience reach, and enhancing its platforms businesses as crucial for future growth. These investments are designed to extend existing revenue streams and create new ones, leveraging the strength of its brands, live news, and live sports content.
- Stronger Box Office Slate: For its Fandango platform, a key component of its digital assets, a stronger box office slate is expected to contribute to a return to high single-digit revenue growth organically in 2026. This driver is directly tied to the performance and volume of new theatrical releases, which directly impact Fandango's transaction-based revenues.
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Share Repurchases
- Versant Media's Board of Directors authorized a $1 billion share repurchase program in March 2026.
- This represents the company's first repurchase authorization.
Share Issuance
- Versant Media was spun off from Comcast, with shares distributed to Comcast shareholders on January 2, 2026.
- Comcast shareholders received one share of Versant Class A or Class B common stock for every 25 shares of Comcast Class A or Class B stock held as of the December 16, 2025 record date.
Outbound Investments
- Versant Media completed the acquisition of INDY Cinema Group in the fourth quarter of 2025.
- The company also completed the acquisition of Free TV Networks in January 2026.
- These acquisitions aim to expand national over-the-air distribution and strengthen Fandango's digital and B2B platform capabilities.
Capital Expenditures
- Versant Media reported capital expenditures of $167 million in 2025.
- Management plans to focus on investments in content and platform expansion in 2026.
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 26.56 |
| Mkt Cap | 10.1 |
| Rev LTM | 7,854 |
| Op Inc LTM | 1,400 |
| FCF LTM | 404 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 533 |
| CFO LTM | 841 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 930 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | -3.0% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | -3.4% |
| Rev Chg Q | -1.4% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | -0.3% |
| Op Inc Chg LTM | 6.0% |
| Op Inc Chg 3Y Avg | 6.2% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 10.8% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 11.6% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 0.3% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 9.6% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 14.4% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 6.2% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 11.9% |
Price Behavior
| 1M | 2M | 3M | 6M | 1Y | 3Y | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta | 0.20 | 0.56 | 0.74 | 0.00 | -0.07 | 0.37 |
| Up Beta | 0.26 | -0.01 | 0.53 | 0.11 | 1.28 | 0.37 |
| Down Beta | 0.41 | 0.66 | 0.97 | -0.09 | -0.16 | -0.50 |
| Up Capture | -94% | 18% | 51% | 41% | 18% | 2% |
| Bmk +ve Days | 11 | 24 | 40 | 67 | 140 | 429 |
| Stock +ve Days | 9 | 21 | 37 | 63 | 63 | 63 |
| Down Capture | 99% | 112% | 104% | 88% | 58% | 31% |
| Bmk -ve Days | 10 | 17 | 23 | 58 | 112 | 321 |
| Stock -ve Days | 12 | 20 | 26 | 58 | 58 | 58 |
[1] Upside and downside betas calculated using positive and negative benchmark daily returns respectively
Based On 1-Year Data
| Annualized Return | Annualized Volatility | Sharpe Ratio | Correlation with VSNT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VSNT | -4.5% | 41.9% | -0.12 | - |
| Sector ETF (XLC) | 2.7% | 13.7% | -0.04 | 31.0% |
| Equity (SPY) | 21.7% | 12.5% | 1.29 | 23.1% |
| Gold (GLD) | 23.1% | 27.7% | 0.73 | 2.9% |
| Commodities (DBC) | 21.3% | 18.6% | 0.90 | -6.1% |
| Real Estate (VNQ) | 13.6% | 13.8% | 0.68 | 8.5% |
| Bitcoin (BTCUSD) | -42.0% | 42.7% | -1.15 | 33.5% |
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Based On 5-Year Data
| Annualized Return | Annualized Volatility | Sharpe Ratio | Correlation with VSNT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VSNT | -0.9% | 41.9% | -0.12 | - |
| Sector ETF (XLC) | 7.4% | 20.7% | 0.27 | 31.0% |
| Equity (SPY) | 13.3% | 17.1% | 0.60 | 23.1% |
| Gold (GLD) | 17.9% | 18.3% | 0.79 | 2.9% |
| Commodities (DBC) | 6.9% | 19.5% | 0.25 | -6.1% |
| Real Estate (VNQ) | 3.1% | 18.9% | 0.06 | 8.5% |
| Bitcoin (BTCUSD) | 12.2% | 53.8% | 0.41 | 33.5% |
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Based On 10-Year Data
| Annualized Return | Annualized Volatility | Sharpe Ratio | Correlation with VSNT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VSNT | -0.5% | 41.9% | -0.12 | - |
| Sector ETF (XLC) | 9.0% | 22.2% | 0.46 | 31.0% |
| Equity (SPY) | 15.4% | 18.0% | 0.73 | 23.1% |
| Gold (GLD) | 12.1% | 16.1% | 0.61 | 2.9% |
| Commodities (DBC) | 5.7% | 18.0% | 0.25 | -6.1% |
| Real Estate (VNQ) | 5.5% | 20.7% | 0.23 | 8.5% |
| Bitcoin (BTCUSD) | 59.0% | 66.2% | 0.99 | 33.5% |
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Recent Forward Guidance
Updated 7/1/2026Latest: Q1 2026 Earnings Reported 5/14/2026
| Forward Guidance | Guidance Change | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metric | Low | Mid | High | % Chg | % Delta | Change | Prior |
| Q2 2026 Accelerated Share Repurchase | 100.00 Mil | ||||||
Insider Activity
Updated 6/29/2026| # | Owner | Title | Holding | Action | Filing Date | Price | Shares | Transacted Value | Value of Held Shares | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potter, Leonard | Direct | Buy | 3162026 | 37.65 | 2,500 | 94,125 | 597,807 | Form | |
| 2 | Potter, Leonard | Direct | Buy | 3162026 | 37.88 | 5,000 | 189,400 | 506,759 | Form | |
| 3 | Potter, Leonard | Direct | Buy | 3162026 | 38.34 | 3,000 | 115,020 | 321,213 | Form | |
| 4 | Potter, Leonard | Direct | Buy | 3162026 | 37.31 | 3,000 | 111,930 | 200,653 | Form | |
| 5 | Novak, David C | Direct | Buy | 3092026 | 36.85 | 143,000 | 5,269,550 | 5,842,936 | Form |
| # | Owner | Title | Holding | Action | Filing Date | Price | Shares | Transacted Value | Value of Held Shares | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potter, Leonard | Direct | Buy | 3162026 | 37.65 | 2,500 | 94,125 | 597,807 | Form | |
| 2 | Potter, Leonard | Direct | Buy | 3162026 | 37.88 | 5,000 | 189,400 | 506,759 | Form | |
| 3 | Potter, Leonard | Direct | Buy | 3162026 | 38.34 | 3,000 | 115,020 | 321,213 | Form | |
| 4 | Potter, Leonard | Direct | Buy | 3162026 | 37.31 | 3,000 | 111,930 | 200,653 | Form | |
| 5 | Novak, David C | Direct | Buy | 3092026 | 36.85 | 143,000 | 5,269,550 | 5,842,936 | Form |
Industry Resources
| Communication Services Resources |
| Variety |
| The Hollywood Reporter |
| Adweek |
| Cable & Satellite Resources |
| Cablefax |
| Via Satellite |
| Multichannel News |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |
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