Versant CEO Says Skydance Cable Networks Unlikely Acquisition Target
Mark Lazarus said buying big cable networks would prolong Versant's life but not improve it, citing the secular decline in cable.
Versant Media CEO Mark Lazarus said the company is unlikely to buy Skydance's cable TV networks on a large scale if they come to market, speaking at the Axios Media Trends Live conference on October 20, 2026, according to Deadline.
Lazarus said acquiring big networks would prolong Versant's life but not improve it, pointing to the secular decline in cable. He added that Versant might instead be interested in another vertical built around a pay television business.
Digital currently accounts for less than 25% of Versant's total revenue, and Lazarus estimated it would take three to five years for digital to become the company's primary revenue source.
On advertising sales, Lazarus said Versant is weighing renewing its deal with NBCUniversal, outsourcing sales to another media company, or bringing sales in-house. A decision is expected at a natural window about a year from now.
Background
Versant was spun off by Comcast/NBCUniversal earlier this year and made its debut in January. Its stock price has fallen 29% since then. The merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery into Skydance closed earlier this month, creating a media giant with more than 50 cable networks; Skydance has said it aims not to shed any networks and instead use their cash flow to pay down debt and invest in other areas.
Quick answers
Is Versant buying Skydance's cable networks?
CEO Mark Lazarus said a large-scale purchase is unlikely, citing the secular decline in cable.
How much of Versant's revenue comes from digital?
Digital is currently less than 25% of total revenue, and Lazarus estimated it would take three to five years to become the primary source.
When will Versant decide on its NBCUniversal ad sales deal?
Lazarus said a decision would come at a natural window about a year from now.