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Versant
Versant is a newly independent multi-platform media company operating cable networks including USA, Syfy, E!, and Oxygen, actively acquiring content and sports rights while building toward a free ad-supported streaming launch via Fandango at Home.
Current mandate
Versant is operating as a fully independent entity following its split from NBCUniversal, having acquired most of NBCUniversal's cable channels including E!, USA Network, Syfy, and Oxygen. The company recently closed a major licensing deal with an unnamed streamer to monetize its content library, and has ordered new programming across true-crime (Killer DNA with Maury Povich; Snapped: Rich Bitch Rampage), reality (The Golden Life), and scripted drama (Anna Pigeon series, The Ark Season 3). USA Network's The Rainmaker was renewed for a second season after its August premiere, signaling confidence in scripted investment.
Over the past 12 months, Versant has moved aggressively on multiple fronts: securing WNBA media rights for USA Network games covering 2026 through 2036, acquiring Free TV Networks and Indy Cinema Group, and announcing a streaming plan for MS Now. The company is negotiating with multiple streamers to license its library and is working on strategic content acquisitions with third-party studios for Fandango at Home. Executives Cori Abraham and Blake Levin have been meeting British producers in London, signaling international sourcing activity. The content focus spans celebrity-driven unscripted, true-crime, scripted drama, and sports programming across a diversified portfolio that includes Golf Channel, NASCAR, Premier League, and college sports alongside the WNBA deal.
Producers seeking to reach Versant should note that the company is actively fielding pitches for recognizable IP and well-known personalities, with a stated openness to AI-assisted production. E! specifically wants celebrity-centric or highly nostalgic concepts with a snarky, entertainment-forward tone. The Fandango at Home AVOD launch, planned for the second half of next year with original programming, represents an emerging acquisition window. Abraham and Levin's London meetings suggest international co-production relationships are being cultivated, and the company's own executives have indicated they can now "move quickly" without the constraints of a larger parent.
Signature peaks
- 3 Active Orders (30d) — True-crime and reality titles ordered as of May 2026
- 23 Decision Makers Tracked — Across Versant's cable and streaming divisions
- 31 Total Signals (12mo) — Deals, orders, hires, and rights acquisitions logged
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- crime drama, scripted drama, unscripted, reality, live events
- Territory focus
- US primary; Comcast international distribution
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Versant executives are actively meeting producers internationally, with Abraham and Levin recently in London. Named contacts include Boreland and Cori Abraham, both of whom have made public statements about acquisition priorities. Pitching through representation is advisable; however, the company's own executives have signaled openness to talent-driven outreach, particularly for celebrity-centric or IP-recognizable projects. Network-specific pitches (E! for celebrity unscripted, Oxygen for true-crime, USA for scripted drama, Fandango at Home for AVOD originals) are the most clearly mapped entry points based on current programming signals.
- Deal structure
- Versant is acquiring content through multiple structures simultaneously: network series orders (true-crime, reality, scripted drama), long-term sports rights deals (WNBA, 2026-2036), library licensing to third-party streamers, and strategic content acquisitions with third-party studios for Fandango at Home. Budget terms have not been disclosed on any recent deal. The company has also acquired network assets outright (Free TV Networks, Indy Cinema Group) and is building toward original programming for its forthcoming AVOD platform, suggesting future co-production or first-look structures may emerge.
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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Liz Melcher
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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
"We want a little bit of snark, fun and entertainment, but characters that make you go, 'Oh, hey, it's that guy who does that.'"
Cable network groups rebranding and consolidating under new identities (Versant = Comcast's rebrand of NBCUniversal cable networks)
Common questions about Versant
Does Versant accept unsolicited scripts?
Versant has not published a formal unsolicited submissions policy, but executives have signaled broad openness to pitches. Cori Abraham stated the company is open to "pretty much anything," and E!'s team has specifically encouraged talent-driven concepts with a note of humor. The safest route remains a referral or a meeting facilitated through a rep, particularly given that Abraham and Blake Levin are actively meeting producers in London, suggesting a receptive posture toward new relationships.
What budgets does Versant work with?
No specific budget figures have been disclosed publicly for Versant's current slate. The company is working on strategic content acquisitions with third-party studios for Fandango at Home, and its cable network orders (including Killer DNA with Maury Povich and Snapped: Rich Bitch Rampage) suggest mid-tier unscripted budgets typical of cable true-crime. The scripted side, including The Rainmaker renewal and the Anna Pigeon drama, implies higher production investment, though no amounts have been confirmed.
Does Versant acquire from film festivals?
No festival acquisition activity has been explicitly reported for Versant in recent coverage. The company's current acquisition signals are concentrated in cable network programming, sports rights, and library licensing deals. However, the planned Fandango at Home AVOD launch with original programming could open a festival-adjacent acquisition window, particularly given the Indy Cinema Group acquisition, which suggests some awareness of independent film channels.
How do you reach Versant's acquisitions team?
Named decision makers include Boreland (who is seeking recognizable IP and well-known personalities) and Cori Abraham, who has been publicly accessible at industry events and producer meetings. Abraham and Blake Levin were recently in London meeting British producers, indicating active outreach. Versant's 23 tracked decision makers across its divisions suggest multiple entry points. Pitching through established representation or responding to active calls from specific network brands (E!, Oxygen, USA) is the most documented pathway.
What genres is Versant prioritizing right now?
True-crime is a clear priority, with Oxygen leaning into the genre via Hooters Murders and the Snapped spinoff Snapped: Rich Bitch Rampage. E! is focused on celebrity-centric and nostalgic unscripted content, including its Dirty Rotten Scandals strand. USA Network is investing in scripted drama (The Rainmaker, Anna Pigeon) and sports programming. Syfy is continuing genre scripted with The Ark Season 3. Sports documentary and analysis programming rounds out the portfolio, spanning WNBA, NASCAR, Premier League, golf, and college sports.
Is Versant currently active in acquisitions?
Yes. Versant closed a major licensing deal with an unnamed streamer as recently as mid-May 2026, ordered three new titles within the same 30-day window, and has been meeting international producers in London. The company is simultaneously negotiating with multiple streamers to license its content library and building toward the Fandango at Home AVOD launch with original programming planned for the second half of next year. Deal velocity and recent hiring activity confirm the company is in an active acquisition and expansion phase.
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Related reading
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