Versant Acquires AI-Powered Financial Insights Firm StockStory
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 3:23 pm
Versant Bolsters Digital Investing Capabilities with StockStory Acquisition
Versant, a media and entertainment conglomerate, has acquired StockStory, an AI-powered financial insights platform. This strategic move aims to strengthen CNBC's ability to provide real-time, data-driven analysis and stock recommendations to investors. The acquisition is part of Versant's ongoing digital expansion and focus on business news and personal finance.
Adam Hejl, StockStory's founder and CEO, will join Versant and report to Deep Bagchee, Chief Product and Technology Officer for News. The StockStory team will contribute to enhancing CNBC's digital investing capabilities.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This acquisition comes as Versant navigates a shifting media landscape. In 2025, the company experienced a 32% decline in profits, reaching $930 million, and a 5.3% decrease in revenue, totaling $6.7 billion. These declines were primarily attributed to its linear distribution, advertising, and content licensing units. However, the platforms segment, which includes offerings like Fandango and CNBC subscription services, showed positive growth, with revenues increasing by 3.9% to $826 million.
Approximately 19% of Versant's revenue currently comes from non-pay TV sources. The company anticipates this percentage to increase to 33% within the next three to five years, with a long-term goal of generating half its revenue from new growth areas and the other half from its pay TV business. A significant portion of its pay TV subscriber base is secured through distribution agreements extending through 2028 and beyond.
Looking ahead to 2026, Versant projects total revenue between $6.15 billion and $6.4 billion, driven by political advertising and new product initiatives. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range from $1.85 billion to $2 billion, with potential fluctuations due to the timing of sports rights. The platforms business is projected to return to high-single-digit revenue growth in 2026, supported by a stronger box office slate, continued growth at GolfNow, and contributions from its Indy Cinema acquisition.
BNN's Perspective: This acquisition appears to be a smart move for Versant, aligning with the industry's shift towards digital platforms and data-driven insights. While the company faces challenges in its traditional media segments, the investment in AI-powered financial analysis could provide a competitive edge and attract a new generation of investors. The success of this acquisition will depend on how effectively StockStory's technology is integrated into CNBC's offerings and how well it resonates with the target audience.
Keywords: Versant, StockStory, acquisition, AI, financial insights, CNBC, digital expansion, investing, revenue, profits, platforms, media, entertainment, Adam Hejl, Deep Bagchee, business news, personal finance.