Versant Media Group Inc is an independent media company comprised of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, SYFY, and Golf Channel, along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine... Show more
Versant Media Group (VSNT) holds a strong position in the evolving media landscape, leveraging iconic brands like CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), USA Network, Golf Channel, E!, SYFY, Oxygen, and digital assets including Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Operating in political news, business news, golf/athletics, and genre entertainment, the company benefits from premium live content that maintains viewer loyalty amid cord-cutting trends. Non-pay TV revenue reached 19% in 2025, up from 17% prior, highlighting progress in diversification.
Competitively, Versant differentiates through over 60% live programming in news and events, more resistant to subscriber erosion than scripted fare. Digital platforms enable expansion into subscription video-on-demand (SVOD), ad-supported streaming (AVOD), and transactional models. Management's focus on operational efficiency, with low net leverage at 1x EBITDA and $1.6 billion liquidity, supports investments in growth while returning capital. Challenges include pay-TV affiliate fee pressures, but bolt-on acquisitions like the AI-driven StockStory platform enhance CNBC's digital offerings.
Versant's trajectory hinges on Q1 2026 earnings on May 14, 2026, where consensus anticipates $1.62 billion revenue. Investors will scrutinize progress toward full-year 2026 guidance of $6.15-6.4 billion revenue (down 3-7% YoY) and $1.85-2 billion adjusted EBITDA, factoring midterm elections boosting political ad spend and new DTC launches for CNBC and MS NOW.
Digital initiatives, including Fandango/GolfNow expansions and potential SportsEngine divestiture, represent inflection points. Capital returns via $1 billion buyback and quarterly dividends could sustain sentiment. Analyst coverage evolves: Seaport Global initiated Buy at $45 (March 2026), while consensus holds neutral with $40.40 average target (high $52, low $32). Upgrades tied to digital traction could rerate the stock, trading at 6.15 forward P/E.
The media sector grapples with streaming disruption, where pay-TV households decline amid FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) and DTC proliferation. Versant, with 80%+ pay-TV reliance, faces affiliate fee negotiations but counters via resilient live sports/news, less prone to on-demand shifts. Macro ad markets, cyclical with GDP growth, inflation, and interest rates, impact performance; higher rates curb spending, while election cycles (e.g., 2026 midterms) provide tailwinds.
Geopolitical tensions influence news viewership on CNBC/MS NOW, boosting engagement. Regulatory scrutiny on media consolidation affects M&A, but low debt enables tuck-ins. Technology adoption like AI (e.g., StockStory) aids personalization, positioning Versant for ad recovery in a fragmented ecosystem.
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In 2026, Versant targets revenue diversification amid projected declines, reaffirming $6.15-6.4 billion top-line and $1.85-2 billion adjusted EBITDA, with CapEx modestly higher for digital investments. Key themes include scaling non-pay TV to 33% (from 19%), via DTC SVOD/AVOD for news brands, GolfNow/Fandango growth, and live events. Margin sustainability hinges on cost discipline, as intangible amortization peaks before tapering end-2026.
Longer-term, 50% non-pay TV mix demands 15%+ CAGR in digital, facing competitive threats from pure-play streamers. Opportunities lie in market expansion (international via digital), tech transitions (AI personalization), and capital priorities like buybacks/dividends. Consensus EPS at $5.80 for 2026 reflects cautious optimism; sustained execution could align sentiment with undervalued multiples (PEG 0.60).
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VSNT saw its Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) turn negative on June 01, 2026. This is a bearish signal that suggests the stock could decline going forward. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 2 instances where the indicator turned negative. In of the 2 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a downward move at .
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on May 29, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on VSNT as a result. In of 4 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where VSNT declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Aroon Indicator for VSNT entered a downward trend on June 22, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 7 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where VSNT advanced for three days, in of 29 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
VSNT may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (0.679) is normal, around the industry mean (12.703). P/E Ratio (6.421) is within average values for comparable stocks, (103.206). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.538) is also within normal values, averaging (13.726). Dividend Yield (0.010) settles around the average of (0.016) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.817) is also within normal values, averaging (2.943).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. VSNT’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly better than average sales and a considerably profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. VSNT’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 81, placing this stock worse than average.