US EditionComcast spinoff Versant starts trading on Nasdaq in rare media debut
Versant Media Group began trading on Nasdaq under VSNT after separating from Comcast to focus on cable and digital media amid industry shifts, with a $6.8 billion market cap.
- On January 2, 2026, Comcast completed the separation of Versant Media Group into a standalone public company effective 11:59 p.m. ET, and Versant began trading Monday on the Nasdaq Stock Market under ticker VSNT.
- The move, first floated in late 2024, reflects broader industry pressure on cable and news businesses as Comcast said the spin-off boosts value for NBC, Telemundo and Peacock amid declining ad dollars.
- Under the spin-off terms, Comcast shareholders received one share of Versant Class A or Class B for every 25 Comcast shares held on the Dec. 16, 2025 record date, and Versant's portfolio includes CNBC and MS NOW.
- Market reaction was immediate: Versant shares slid more than 14% from a $45.17 per share opening to below $40, while Comcast, parent company shares rose 1.3% as of 9:45 a.m. and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts retains about one-third voting control.
- Versant leaders said the company launches with strong finances, substantial cash flow, and a clear capital plan; CEO Mark Lazarus called the listing a defining moment, with Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, PJT Partners, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advising.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Comcast completes spin-out of cable networks into Versant
The West Coast headquarters of Comcast and NBC Universal at 10 Universal City Plaza in Universal City, California. (Photo by Matthew Keys for The Desk) Comcast has formally completed the spin-off of its cable television networks and related digital assets into a new publicly-traded company called Versant, which also had its Wall Street debut on Monday. The separation, first announced in late 2024, removes most of NBC Universal’s cable portfolio …
Comcast completes cable spinoff as Versant Media set to begin trading on Nasdaq
Comcast said on Monday it has completed the spinoff of Versant Media Group, offloading its NBCUniversal cable channels such as USA Network and CNBC into a separate public company, as the media giant repositions itself to better suit the streaming era.
Versant stock price sinks on Nasdaq trading debut as Comcast spinoff tests investor appetite for legacy cable TV
Is cable television truly dead? The markets are about to test the hypothesis. Shares of Versant Media Group began trading on the Nasdaq Monday under the ticker symbol VSNT, effectively completing Versant’s spinoff from parent company Comcast Corporation. Versant comprises a bundle of cable television networks and similar digital businesses, with notable properties including MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), CNBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, an…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
