Kris Jenner Eyes Purchase of Former Family Show Network
Kris Jenner is reportedly setting her sights on acquiring the very network that catapulted her family to stardom in reality TV.
With NBC Universal shifting gears to form a new entity named Versant, a publicly traded company consisting of several of NBCUniversal’s cable TV channels including E!, Jenner is allegedly aiming to buy the network.
Insiders suggest that Jenner’s next venture could see her transitioning from celebrity momager to network proprietor. Her recent interactions with Oprah Winfrey, founder of the OWN Network, hint at possible counsel from one of media’s most influential figures.
An insider claimed, “She was pivotal in building E!’s brand. Now, she’s set on owning it.” Beyond her role managing her famous children, Jenner also runs Jenner Communications.
Reports indicate that Jenner has been in discussions with Ryan Seacrest, a long-term associate, and Winfrey to possibly form a powerhouse team as she prepares to take control amidst NBC/Universal’s separation from the once-dominant pop culture channel.
“Kris is not merely interested in producing content,” another source noted. “She envisions owning the entire network, including red carpet events, programming, and its future directions.”
When Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered on E! in 2008, it was a major lifeline for the network, continuing for 20 seasons before transitioning to Hulu in 2021, where it is approaching its seventh season.
One source emphasized, “She’s serious about this. She turned E! into a success story, and now she’s ready to start a new chapter.”
Versant will be housing networks like USA Network, Oxygen True Crime, E!, and Syfy under its umbrella, led by CEO Mark Lazarus, according to Deadline.
As reported by Variety, despite NBCUniversal divesting from many of its cable networks, it will continue to manage advertising sales across these channels for the next two years.
“This partnership with Versant allows us to keep our advertising operations streamlined for our partners, ensuring a unified team will represent our extensive portfolio and continue to generate revenue from our beloved programming,” said Mark Marshall, NBCU’s chairman of global advertising and partnerships, in a statement.
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