Versant announces that USA Sports is officially joining the crowded TV sports arena, positioning itself as a major player in a media landscape increasingly defined by the battle for live, appointment viewing.
The newly launched division from Versant—the soon-to-be spun-off company from NBCUniversal—aims to build a broad portfolio of marquee sports rights, featuring everything from NASCAR and the PGA Tour to the Premier League, WWE, and the WNBA. Programming will primarily air across USA Network and Golf Channel, with CNBC expected to join the rotation on weekends beginning in 2026.
Altogether, the company said USA Sports will deliver more than 10,000 hours of live games and studio programming annually.
“Our new USA Sports brand and division name leans into USA Network’s decades-long reputation as a top national sports and entertainment network,” said Matt Hong, president of USA Sports, in a statement. “Our diverse portfolio of sports properties and programming across our platforms highlights top-tier global leagues and amplifies major events throughout the sports landscape. USA Sports has something for all sports fans across the country.”
The network programming includes a sizable commitment to women’s sports—an area that continues to see rapid audience growth. USA Sports plans to air around 1,000 hours of women’s sports coverage in 2026, featuring the WNBA, LPGA Tour, and League One Volleyball.
The new division borrows its name and spirit from USA Network, one of cable’s longest-running brands. Originally launched in 1977 under the leadership of Kay Koplovitz, USA Network has been a fixture in sports and entertainment for nearly five decades.
Versant, for its part, inherits a strong but traditional media lineup that leans heavily toward cable properties such as MSNBC, CNBC, E!, and Oxygen. With the spin-off, executives are seeking to diversify beyond linear television, exploring ventures such as newsletters, conferences, and other direct-to-consumer products designed to strengthen viewer engagement and brand identity.
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