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Vol. I · 2026
Rev. Blue
Issue VERSANT-01
Buyer / Distributor
LIVE · ACTIVE 90D
Steady activity
Updated

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.

§ 01
Activity
12wk volume

Each signal is one documented data point captured by our continuous pipeline: a trade-press mention, festival market activity, executive statement, or acquisition activity update. Higher signal volume means Versant is generating more public market activity right now.

30 days
2
+1 vs prior
90 days
5
signals captured
12 months
31
cumulative
Last signal
May 14·2026
pipeline pulse
§ 02
Current snapshot
WNBA Rights Window
2026-2036
USA Network WNBA Media Rights Deal
Versant's longest confirmed rights commitment, anchoring its sports expansion strategy on USA Network.

"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.'"

Current snapshot
Updated May 14
Most recent signal
Amanda Cary hiring
Acquired
Top genre focus
Sports
+2 more
Territory
North America + intl.
distribution + acquisitions
Access pattern
Rep-only
festival-driven discovery
See your match in the app
§ 03
Current mandate
Editorial analysis · updated continuously

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.

§ 04
Signature peaks
Active Orders (30d)
3
True-crime and reality titles ordered as of May 2026
Decision Makers Tracked
23
Across Versant's cable and streaming divisions
Total Signals (12mo)
31
Deals, orders, hires, and rights acquisitions logged
§ 05
Mandate dimensions
5 dimensions
Genre focus
SportsLive EventsDocumentary
Territory focus
United States (primary); Premier League rights suggest international sports awareness
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.
§ 06
Recent acquisitions
8 signals · trade-press sourced

Amanda Cary hiring

2025-10-22T00:00:00.000Z
Acquired

Jamie Palatini hiring

2025-10-22T00:00:00.000Z
Acquired

Killer DNA with Maury Povich

2026-05-11T00:00:00.000Z
ordered

Liz Melcher

2025-10-09T00:00:00.000Z
Acquired

most of NBCUniversal’s cable channels, including E!

2025-01-01T00:00:00.000Z
Acquired

Snapped: Rich Bitch Rampage

2026-05-11T00:00:00.000Z
ordered

The Golden Life

2026-05-11T00:00:00.000Z
ordered

WNBA media rights for USA Network games (2026-2036)

2025-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
Acquired
§ 07
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.'"

ScriptMatch desk

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.

§ 08
The next step
Open the app
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4,103 active buyers indexed

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§ 10
Common questions
6 answered
Q01

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.

Q02

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.

Q03

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.

Q04

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.

Q05

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.

Q06

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.

§ 11
Colophon
Methodology

Profile compiled from publicly-available sources: trade press (Deadline, Variety, IndieWire, The Hollywood Reporter, Screen Daily), festival market reports (Cannes Marche, AFM, EFM, TIFF Industry), executive public statements, and acquisition announcements. Activity counters reflect signal volume from continuous pipeline indexing.

Corrections

See an inaccuracy? Suggest a correction. Profiles update continuously as new public information becomes available.

ScriptMatch · Buyer Profile · VERSANT
Vol. I · 2026 · Rev. Blue