Versant raises 2026 outlook on strength of platforms segment and advertising momentum

Versant Media Group raised its full-year guidance on Thursday, boosted by momentum in its digital brands like Fandango and GolfNow, as well as what executives referred to as "strength" in its overall business model.

The company now expects total revenue for 2026 of $6.2 billion to $6.45 billion and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $1.9 billion to $2.05 billion.

This marks Versant's third earnings report since it was spun out from Comcast's NBCUniversal at the start of the year. The company, which includes a portfolio of pay TV networks including CNBC, MS Now and The Golf Channel began trading as a public company in January.

Versant's earnings once again showcased that live sports and news grab the most viewers and advertising dollars for traditional TV, despite ongoing pressure on the bundle as it loses customers to streaming alternatives.

Revenue for linear TV, which also includes channels USA Network, Syfy, Oxygen and E!, was down 6.3% during the quarter to $954 million, due to subscriber declines.

CEO Mark Lazarus said in a release on Thursday the company completed carriage agreements "with two large distribution partners, one in the U.S. and one in Canada." Many of Versant's distribution deals were locked up when it was still under NBCUniversal's ownership.

Versant executives have said they aim to diversify the company's revenue base — with an eye toward achieving a revenue mix of 50% from its digital, platform, subscription, ad supported and transactional businesses. The aim is to be less reliant on the linear TV model. Currently more than 80% of Versant's revenue stems from the pay TV business.

Versant leadership has also said it would explore acquisitions of nontraditional media businesses to broaden its revenue streams and add growth.

This week the company closed its acquisition of golf simulation company Full Swing. Versant already owns digital media platform GolfPass and tee-time reservation company GolfNow. Earlier this year Versant bought StockStory, an AI-powered tech platform that provides financial analysis, market insights and stock recommendations for CNBC.

Advertising revenue for the quarter was down 0.6% to $423 million, an improvement compared to the rate of decline during the same period last year due to higher ratings for its networks, which are heavily centered on news and sports.

Revenue for the platforms segment — which includes Fandango and GolfNow — was up 0.8% to $225 million for the quarter. Excluding the company's divestiture of SportsEngine, platforms revenue was up 9.3%.

The company attributed that increase in part to higher revenue at Fandango from movie ticket purchases and video on demand transactions, as well as higher bookings, payments and subscription revenue for GolfNow.