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Versant Unveils $1 Billion Buyback as First Post-Spin Results Show Revenue Decline

Management signals a pivot to higher-growth digital platforms with 2026 revenue guidance below some estimates.

Overview

  • Versant posted 2025 revenue of $6.69 billion, down 5.3%, and net income of $930 million, a decline of about one-third from the prior year.
  • Linear distribution fell 5.4% to $4.1 billion and advertising declined 8.9% to $1.58 billion, while platforms grew 3.9% to $826 million, representing 19% of total revenue.
  • The board authorized a $1 billion share repurchase and declared a $0.375 quarterly dividend to return cash to investors.
  • The company guided 2026 revenue to $6.15–$6.4 billion and reported fourth-quarter revenue of $1.61 billion that topped some projections, lifting the stock nearly 3% in early trading.
  • Versant outlined growth plans including an MS Now direct-to-consumer launch in summer 2026, a new CNBC subscription for retail investors, and a Fandango at Home free, ad-supported service later in 2026.