Comcast’s Cable TV Spinoff Now Has a Name: Versant

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Comcast‘s cable TV spinoff company now has a name: Versant.

This upcoming business project, initially revealed a year ago, encompasses the majority of Comcast’s cable television properties such as USA, Syfy, E!, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, and Golf Channel, along with some digital ventures like Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes.

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The new business launch, previously announced last year, will incorporate Comcast’s cable TV properties including USA, Syfy, E!, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, and Golf Channel, in addition to some digital enterprises like Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes.

CEO Mark Lazarus, along with CFO and COO Anand Kini, and chairman David Novak, will head Versant, with many senior executives being selected primarily from within NBCUniversal’s workforce.

Lazarus disclosed the chosen name of the company in a staff memo on Tuesday, mentioning that they will unveil both the permanent and temporary locations for their upcoming Manhattan headquarters within the next few weeks.

Initially, when we unveiled the spin-off plan, we recognized that it would necessitate a fresh approach for our cherished and renowned brand names. Over the past few months, we’ve been diligently working to define ourselves and map out a strategy for a thriving company, which has brought us to this next phase. With this in view, I am delighted to reveal the name of our new company – Versant. This name symbolizes versatility, growth, and innovation, serving as a blueprint for our outstanding brands, each maintaining their unique identity.

Versant stands for more than just a label; it symbolizes our ability to adapt and seize the chance to mold a contemporary media company. When choosing a name, several factors were taken into consideration. Our in-house team of exceptionally talented brand specialists, designers, and media strategists kept our ultimate aim to impact culture, link communities, and signal a united path ahead firmly in mind.

Versant’s primary emphasis will be on delivering news content, given its partnership with MSNBC and CNBC. However, due to its separation from NBCUniversal, MSNBC is now required to establish their own news division. Lazarus mentioned in his memo that they are planning to release a job recruitment site soon.

Leaving NBCUniversal might offer the company greater freedom to engage in mergers and acquisitions or devise fresh strategies that lie beyond the Peacock universe created by NBCU. Nevertheless, there will be some linkages between the companies during a transitional phase, and the Roberts family will retain majority ownership in both entities.

You can read Lazarus’ full memo below.

Team, 

Initially, when we unveiled the spin-off, we were well aware that it would necessitate a fresh approach for our cherished and esteemed brands. Over the past few months, we’ve put in considerable effort to define our identity and devise strategies to build a thriving company. This journey has now led us to this significant milestone.

Our diverse portfolio, encompassing sports, entertainment, media, and tech, is poised to make a significant impact within the industry. It’s set to shape trends, ignite discussions, and revolutionize the way people interact with our esteemed brands on all available platforms.

With this thought in mind, I am delighted to reveal the name of our freshly minted company – VERSANT. This moniker serves as a roadmap for versatility, growth, and innovation. VERSANT is not just a building, but a home for our exceptional brands, each of which thrives independently.

VERSANT stands for more than just a label; it symbolizes our flexibility and the chance to form a contemporary media company anew. When choosing a name, various factors were taken into account. Our team of exceptionally talented brand marketers, designers, and media strategists considered our broader objective to impact culture, link communities, and signify a clear path ahead.

It’s not surprising if people don’t take an immediate liking to the name of our new company. There were other options that could have worked as well, but after pondering on VERSANT for a couple of weeks now, I’m convinced it will fit us perfectly, convey a dynamic feeling, and highlight our commitment to advancement.

Pay attention as Mike DeRienzo and Lisa Fleming, two in-house brand specialists, delve into the intricacies of choosing a name for our freshly minted firm.

Everyone should be eager about the excitement surrounding our new venture! In just the past month, over 5,000 individuals have shown interest in becoming part of our VERSANT team. By the end of this week, we will unveil a detailed careers website that will showcase the numerous job openings at our company (currently over 100 and expanding). This is an exciting milestone towards creating a company with extensive industry expertise and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. I am truly thrilled about what lies ahead, including disclosing more details on our planned Manhattan locations for VERSANT’s permanent headquarters and temporary workspace (affectionately referred to as “summer camp”). Thank you all for your understanding as we continue to construct our company, together.

Welcome to VERSANT. 

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2025-05-06 21:24