Versant Locks Verizon Fios Renewal

Versant just locked in a major milestone, finalizing a multi-year renewal with Verizon Fios that secures USA Network, CNBC, Golf Channel, and more on Fios TV through 2028 and beyond. With every major distribution deal up for 2026 now done, Versant has bought itself crucial time to navigate the shift from shrinking cable subscribers—down to 2.5 million on Fios, a drop of nearly 50% since 2016—toward digital revenue and streaming. The certainty of these contracts means fewer blackouts and steadier income, but rate hikes could backfire if more viewers cut the cord, putting pressure on both Versant and its partners.

But here’s the catch: locking up carriage buys time, not growth. Versant is betting heavily on bundling must-have news, sports, and entertainment to keep cable packages sticky, while pushing experiments like Fandango’s Lionsgate deal. For two weeks, all five Hunger Games films will stream free with minimal ads on Fandango, aiming to turn viewers into movie ticket buyers and, crucially, to build awareness for Fandango’s streaming ambitions. The hope is that this “watch free, then buy” model drives both ticket sales and future rentals—if it works, expect more studios to follow.

Featuring fresh insights from Versant CFO/COO Anand Kini and Fandango’s Will McIntosh, with reporting from TheWrap and direct from recent industry events.

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