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Versant
Versant is a newly independent multi-platform media company operating cable networks, a growing AVOD service, and an active content acquisition arm focused on unscripted, true crime, and drama programming.
Current mandate
Versant entered the market as a standalone media company after separating from Peacock and NBCUniversal, taking with it most of NBCU's cable portfolio including USA Network, Syfy, Oxygen, and E!. The company's leadership has publicly pushed back on the notion that independence is a liability, with executives arguing that the split frees Versant to invest directly back into its businesses and move with greater speed than it could inside a larger conglomerate. A major content licensing deal with an unnamed major streamer, described as closed and pending announcement, signals that the library Versant inherited carries real market value.
Acquisition activity across the past year reflects a company building out on multiple fronts simultaneously. On the unscripted side, Oxygen is deepening its true-crime identity with titles including "Hooters Murders" and a "Snapped" spinoff, while E! has launched the "Dirty Rotten Scandals" strand. Scripted programming continues through USA Network, which premiered "The Rainmaker" and quickly renewed it for a second season, with an Anna Pigeon drama series slated for 2026 and a third season of "The Ark" ordered for Syfy. Versant also acquired WNBA media rights for USA Network games covering a multi-year window through 2036, and has ordered new unscripted titles including "Killer DNA with Maury Povich" and "The Golden Life." Strategic content acquisitions with third-party studios are underway to feed Fandango at Home, with original programming planned for the AVOD service's launch in the second half of next year.
Material reaches Versant through several documented channels. Executives including Cori Abraham and Blake Levin have been meeting British producers directly, and Levin is publicly outlining commissioning strategies and partnership opportunities in unscripted content at Content London, with a stated focus on documentary, true crime, lifestyle, and docuseries. No unsolicited submission pathway is documented in tracked deal data; every observed deal has moved through direct executive relationships, sales agents, or established production partnerships. Producers working in unscripted genres, particularly true crime and docuseries, have the clearest documented route via the company's active international market presence.
Signature peaks
- E!, USA, Syfy, Oxygen Cable Networks Acquired — Versant took on most of NBCUniversal's cable portfolio following its split from the conglomerate.
- Fandango at Home AVOD Launch Planned — A free ad-supported streaming service with original programming is set to debut in the second half of next year.
- Oxygen + Snapped Spinoff True Crime Commitment — Oxygen is leaning into true crime with new titles including a Snapped spinoff and Hooters Murders.
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- Not disclosed
- Territory focus
- United States
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Every tracked deal in ScriptMatch's data has moved through direct executive relationships or established production partnerships; no unsolicited submission pathway is documented. The most visible documented route for new producer relationships is through international content markets: Blake Levin is publicly outlining commissioning strategies and partnership opportunities at Content London, with a stated focus on documentary, true crime, lifestyle, and docuseries, and both Levin and Cori Abraham have been observed meeting British producers directly in London.
- Deal structure
- Versant operates across content licensing, rights acquisitions (including multi-year sports media rights), and direct series orders for its cable networks and forthcoming AVOD service; the company is also pursuing strategic content acquisitions with third-party studios to build out the Fandango at Home programming slate.
Recent acquisitions
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Amanda Cary hiring
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Jamie Palatini hiring
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Killer DNA with Maury Povich
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most of NBCUniversal’s cable channels, including E!
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Snapped: Rich Bitch Rampage
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The Golden Life
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WNBA media rights for USA Network games (2026-2036)
Market context
Having split from NBCUniversal and closed a major streamer licensing deal, Versant is moving fast to build original programming across its cable networks and a forthcoming free ad-supported streaming service.
Versant entered the market as a standalone media company after separating from Peacock and NBCUniversal, taking with it most of NBCU's cable portfolio including USA Network, Syfy, Oxygen, and E!. The company's leadership has publicly pushed back on the notion that independence is a liability, with executives arguing that the split frees Versant to invest directly back into its businesses and move with greater speed than it could inside a larger conglomerate. A major content licensing deal with an unnamed major streamer, described as closed and pending announcement, signals that the library Versant inherited carries real market value.
Common questions about Versant
Does Versant accept unsolicited scripts or pitches?
No unsolicited submission pathway is documented in ScriptMatch's tracked deal data. Every observed deal has moved through direct executive relationships, established production partnerships, or sales agents. Versant executives including Blake Levin and Cori Abraham are actively meeting producers at international markets such as Content London, which represents the most visible documented route for new relationships. Producers with representation or existing industry relationships are best positioned to engage.
What genres is Versant currently acquiring?
Versant's current acquisition pattern skews heavily toward unscripted content, with true crime, docuseries, lifestyle, and reality programming as stated priorities. Oxygen is deepening its true-crime slate with titles like a Snapped spinoff and Hooters Murders. E! has launched the Dirty Rotten Scandals strand. On the scripted side, USA Network and Syfy continue ordering drama series, with The Rainmaker renewed and The Ark returning for a third season. Original programming for Fandango at Home is also in development.
What festivals or markets does Versant source content from?
Versant executives have been documented attending Content London, where Blake Levin is outlining commissioning strategies and partnership opportunities in unscripted content. Cori Abraham and Levin were also observed meeting British producers directly in London. International co-production markets appear to be an active sourcing channel, particularly for documentary, true crime, and docuseries formats. ScriptMatch's tracked data does not document specific film festival acquisitions at this time.
How do I get my project in front of Versant?
The most documented route is through direct producer relationships cultivated at international content markets. Blake Levin and Cori Abraham have been observed meeting producers at Content London, and Levin is publicly discussing commissioning strategies and partnership opportunities there. Versant is also working on strategic content acquisitions with third-party studios for Fandango at Home, suggesting producer-attachment or studio-partnership routes may be viable. No open submission portal or fellowship program is documented in current tracking data.
What budget levels does Versant work at?
Budget figures are not disclosed in Versant's tracked deal data. The company operates across a range of formats, from cable network unscripted programming on Oxygen and E! to scripted drama series on USA Network and Syfy, suggesting a broad budget spectrum. The forthcoming Fandango at Home AVOD service, which will carry original programming, may represent a distinct budget tier. Producers should approach with format-appropriate expectations based on the specific network or platform they are targeting.
Is Versant currently active in the market?
Yes. Versant is among the more active newly independent media companies in the current cycle. The company has closed a major content licensing deal with an unnamed major streamer, acquired WNBA media rights for USA Network through 2036, ordered new unscripted titles including Killer DNA with Maury Povich and a Snapped spinoff, and is planning the launch of a free ad-supported streaming service built around Fandango at Home. Executives are actively attending international markets and meeting producers.
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Related reading
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