NEW YORK: Northstar Media, a new and strategically diverse New York-based television programme distribution company, has positioned itself to serve as a comprehensive source of programming targeted toward today's extensive, multilevel viewing outlets.
A p ress release says that Northstar Media has roped in entertainment industry veterans to position the company as a comprehensive global distribution source. Under the direction of founders and co-presidents, F. Patrick (Pat) McDonald and Andrew (Andy) Weir, Northstar Media has built a catalogue with over 100 hours of programming, most of it in the music genre. The new company was formed to broaden the horizons of programme distribution by maximising untapped program sources and exploiting short and long-term revenue-generating potentials.
Using the expertise of McDonald and Weir - both accomplished programming and advertising sales executives - Northstar Media has captured the attention of numerous broadcast television, pay-per-view (PPV), video-on-demand (VOD), home entertainment, cable, music, high definition television (HDTV), and Internet outlets currently in search of prime product.
The release adds that Northstar Media is already aligned with programme suppliers such as Plexifilms, Enliven Entertainment, Nancy Glass Productions, Ideal Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Sony, and Sock Bandit Productions, among others.
Since its inception, Northstar claims to have made significant inroads in the distribution sector, having licensed many programmes to various outlets, including:
Image Entertainment
Worldwide home video and DVD rights to direct to DVD expose’ “Hip Hop Immortals” and syndicated series, “Urban Latino TV.”
HDNet
Worldwide high definition television rights to 11-hour miniseries, “Chick Corea: Rendezvous in New York” and the Bangles concert, “Live at the HOB.”
Trio    US television rights to Bond and Sigur Ros concerts, The Jammy’s concert/awards show and the documentary feature, “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.”
Women’s Entertainment (WE)    Standard definition television rights to the Bangles, “Live at the HOB”
BBC 
UK television rights to documentary feature, “I am Trying To Break Your Heart.”
Artisan Home Entertainment    North American home video to DVD rights (excluding Japan) to the IMAX rock concert film “All Access.”
Music Choice    US broadcast rights to David Allen Coe concert
FUEL    13x30’ series Skate Maps
Channel 4 (UK)    2003 Beyonce’ Knowles Concert
InDemand    Documentary feature “I am Trying to Break Your Heart” for PPV
TVN
Documentary feature “I am Trying to Break Your Heart” for PPV
According to McDonald, who along with Weir, has over 30 years of collective experience in the programming and ad sales arena: "We formed Northstar Media with the belief that there are great sources of programming which have untapped sales and revenue-generating potential. Our goal is to identify, exploit and maximize that potential for the benefit of all."
Prior to forming Northstar, McDonald ran the broadcast sales division for Image Entertainment, the largest home video and DVD distributor in the world for music-related content. McDonald personally handled all content sales to PPV, VOD, HDTV, cable, in-flight entertainment, satellite, network and syndication.
Weir added: "As an example, one of the key benefits to Northstar Media's model is that we help drive our clients' home video and DVD sales through the strategic placement of product via pointed distribution. In many cases, this will lead us in recouping a client's production costs prior to the home video/DVD market distribution."
Recognising an unfulfilled niche, Weir left his post as senior vice president, eastern sales for Warner Bros. Domestic Television co-found Northstar Media banner and open its doors to new and varied marketing and sales opportunities. For the last five of his 15 year tenure with Warner Bros. Weir ran the New York sales operation overseeing annual sales in excess of $20 million. This included the sale and renewal of such well-known series as Friends, Will & Grace, Rosie O'Donnell Show and Extra to name a few.
Northstar Media identifies quality video, film and digital product and sells that product for its clients to multiple outlets in both the US and international markets. Such outlets include television, including but not limited to, broadcast and cable networks, syndication, satellite, pay-per-view and high definition television. Other outlets include in-flight entertainment video-on demand and home video/DVD.