Versant, the brand new house for NBCUniversal cable networks being spun off from Comcast, will use USA Sports because the umbrella model and division title for sports activities programming on USA Network and Golf Channel.
The firm has rights to golf, inventory automotive racing, Premier League soccer, the WWE, WNBA, school basketball and different sports activities. USA Sports plans to air a complete of greater than 10,000 hours of occasion, studio, and authentic sports activities programming on USA Network, Golf Channel, and CNBC in 2026.
Women’s sports activities may have a presence within the lineup, with about 1,000 hours of programming from the WNBA, LPGA Tour, school and beginner sports activities, and League One Volleyball.
Matt Hong, President of USA Sports, stated the brand new title “leans into USA Network’s decades-long reputation as a top national sports and entertainment network.”
Starting in 1979, when it was establishing itself as one of many first mainstream cable TV networks, USA Network has carried the NBA, Major League Baseball, the Masters, the NHL, U.S. Open tennis, the Big East, and the ACC.
Golf Channel, which was based in 1995, will hold “its own strong brand identity,” a press launch emphasised, together with getting a “refreshed” community brand subsequent 12 months.
CNBC will proceed to air some USA Sports weekend programming.
Along with its linear TV belongings, Versant has a steady of digital and streaming companies. That roster consists of sports-oriented operations like tee-time reservation platform GolfNow; golf membership program GolfCross, which was co-founded by Rory McIlroy; and youth sports activities expertise and video platform SportsEngine.
Versant operates the entire cable networks previously underneath the NBCUniversal tent, aside from Bravo, which is remaining part of NBCU.