Questar

What Questar does

Questar is a privately held, Chicago-based content acquisitions and distribution company that operates a library of more than 5,000 titles and 100+ programs spanning documentary, family, food, comedy, travel, true crime, drama, and classic genres. Founded in 1989 by Albert J. Nader as a video production house, the company evolved from a home-video pioneer into a global licensing business that supplies programming to broadcasters, streaming platforms, and connected-TV operators worldwide. It distributes its content both directly through branded fast-channel brands (GoTraveler for travel and food, FamilyTime for family-friendly programming, HIPSTR for entertainment) and via licensing deals with more than 25 distribution partners, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Tubi, Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Comcast, PBS, Hallmark, and Fire TV Channels, as well as international platforms such as Jio (India) and ARTE (Europe). The company organizes its operations across four business divisions—Marketing, Digital Content, Sales, and core distribution—and operates production and co-distribution collaborations including partnerships with California Pictures (Cannes Film Market, Anthony Bourdain programming) and Cow Lamp Films (independent production).

The company's core technology is a content acquisition, rights management, and distribution platform that supports global multi-platform licensing. Operations emphasize long-tail rights management: the library's breadth (5,000+ titles) and curation into genre-vertical sub-brands allow Questar to monetize content across multiple licensing windows (linear TV, subscription video on demand, ad-supported video on demand, and free ad-supported streaming television channels) on a non-exclusive or windowed basis. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; deal flow is governed by negotiated B2B licensing agreements with distribution partners rather than published rate cards or self-service platforms. The company does not expose a public API or developer SDK.

Questar's revenue model is content licensing and royalty-based: it generates income by licensing rights to its owned and controlled content library to platforms and broadcasters, complemented by ad sales through its owned FAST channels and select branded sub-brand sponsorships. Its go-to-market is a hybrid channel-partner and enterprise field-sales motion, with the Sales Division handling direct negotiations with major streaming services and linear channels. Customer segments include broadcast networks and streaming platforms (primary), linear channel operators (primary), and independent content producers seeking distribution. The company is privately held with no parent, no institutional funding rounds recorded, and a current operating status confirmed through 2025. Jonathan Plowman serves as President and CEO.

Name

Questar

Legal name

Questar Inc.

Website

https://questarentertainment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Questar is a Chicago-based privately held content acquisitions and distribution company that licenses a 5,000+ title library across 25+ global streaming, broadcast, and connected-TV platforms, serving broadcasters, linear operators, and content producers through its Marketing, Digital Content, Sales, and distribution divisions and sub-brands GoTraveler, FamilyTime, HIPSTR, and Cow Lamp Films.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Content Distribution and Licensing

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise/Creator Video Hosting & OTT SaaS Platforms (MPACAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Topic/Interest-Based Content Discovery Apps (MPACAKAB), Sports Streaming Platforms (MPACAAAE)

Keywords

• Content licensing
• Video distribution
• OTT content acquisition
• Broadcast content supply
• Streaming content library

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Content Licensing and Distribution: Questar generates revenue through licensing its extensive content library of 5000+ titles to broadcasters, streaming platforms, and distributors worldwide. They distribute films and series across multiple channels including linear TV and streaming services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Questar Entertainment is a global content acquisitions and distribution company that licenses its proprietary library of 5,000+ titles and 100+ programs to broadcasters, streaming platforms, smart TV manufacturers, and linear channels worldwide. The company operates four divisions (Marketing, Digital Content, Sales, and Distribution) and runs branded OTT channels such as GoTraveler, FamilyTime.tv, and HIPSTR.tv that stream curated content directly to viewers.

Product overview

Questar Entertainment operates as a global content acquisitions and distribution company with a portfolio of branded content channels and an extensive content library of over 5,000 titles. The company distributes through its sub-brands including GoTraveler (travel and food content), Cow Lamp Films (independent productions), FamilyTime (family-friendly programming), and Hipstr (entertainment content), partnering with broadcasters, platforms, and distributors worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GoTraveler: Travel content brand featuring travel videos and programming

Products and services

• Questar Content Library Proprietary catalog of 5,000+ titles and 100+ programs spanning documentary, family-friendly, food, comedy, travel, true crime, drama, and classic genres, licensed to global broadcasters, streaming platforms, smart TV operators, and linear channels.
• GoTraveler Channel Branded OTT streaming channel featuring travel shows, food programming, and cultural exploration content distributed across streaming and smart TV platforms.
• FamilyTime Channel Branded OTT streaming channel offering family-friendly programming distributed across Questar's partner platforms and smart TV services.
• HIPSTR Channel Branded OTT streaming channel featuring entertainment, documentary, drama, true crime, and comedy programming distributed via Questar's platform and device partners.
• Cow Lamp Films Production arm developing and acquiring independent film projects for distribution through Questar's licensing relationships and branded channels.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NetflixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor streaming platform distributing Questar content to subscribers globally.
• Amazon Prime VideocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrime Video platform featuring Questar content as part of their streaming library.
• HulucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming platform distributing Questar content to Hulu subscribers.
• TubicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFree ad-supported streaming platform featuring Questar content.
• RokucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRoku Channel platform distributing Questar content to Roku users.
• SamsungcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSamsung TV Plus platform featuring Questar content on Samsung smart TVs.
• Pluto TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFree ad-supported streaming service distributing Questar content.
• ComcastcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCable and streaming distribution through Comcast platforms including Xfinity.
• LG TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLG Channels platform featuring Questar content on LG smart TVs.
• HallmarkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHallmark Channel distribution for Questar content including holiday programming.
• Fire TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon Fire TV Channels app distributing Questar content.
• XumocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFree streaming service adding the GoTraveler channel for distribution.
• HooplacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDigital media platform distributing Questar content to library patrons.
• PBScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic broadcasting distribution for Questar educational and documentary content.
• PureFlixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFaith-based streaming platform featuring Questar family-friendly content.
• RedboxminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEntertainment kiosks and streaming service distribution for Questar content.
• VuduminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFandango-owned streaming and transactional platform.
• FreeveeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon's free ad-supported streaming service.
• Sling TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSling linear TV streaming platform.
• JiominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndian streaming platform distribution.
• ARTEminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean cultural channel distribution.
• PlexminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedia server and streaming platform.
• CrackleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSony-owned streaming platform.
• OtteraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTV platform analytics and distribution services.
• Android TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGoogle TV platform distribution.
• TCLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTCL smart TV platform distribution.
• ToshibaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorToshiba smart TV platform distribution.
• VidaaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHisense smart TV platform.
• RADminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroadcast automation and TV platform.
• Apple TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApple TV app distribution.
• AlexaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon Alexa voice assistant integration.
• California PicturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-distribution partner for Cannes Film Market activities, specifically handling Anthony Bourdain series distribution with Questar.
• Cow Lamp FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction company partnership; Cow Lamp Films interviewed and featured by Questar. Questar press page links to Cow Lamp content and interviews.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• All3Media: All3Media is a major international television production and distribution group that produces and licenses premium content to global platforms — a large-scale peer in the content licensing and distribution industry.
• ITV Studios: ITV Studios is the global content distribution and production arm of ITV plc, licensing thousands of hours of programming to broadcasters and streaming platforms worldwide — a much larger incumbent operating in the same content-distribution value chain as Questar.
• Lionsgate: Lionsgate operates a major content library and Starz streaming platform, distributing across theatrical, TV, home video, and digital channels — a much larger incumbent that competes with Questar for shelf space on aggregator platforms.

Direct peers

• Cineflix Media: Cineflix is an independent content producer and global distributor licensing programming to broadcasters and digital platforms — a comparable independent distribution peer with similar B2B licensing economics.
• FilmRise: FilmRise is a leading independent film and television distribution company that acquires content and licenses it to streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Tubi, Pluto TV) and operates its own FAST channels — closely mirroring Questar's library-acquisition and multi-platform distribution model.
• Cinedigm: Cinedigm is a digital content distributor with a large content library distributed across streaming channels (including its own Fandor and documentary networks) and supplies content to many of the same FAST and AVOD platforms as Questar.
• Gravitas Ventures: Gravitas Ventures acquires independent films and series and distributes them across transactional VOD, SVOD, AVOD, and FAST platforms — a near-identical acquisition-and-distribution playbook to Questar's, focused on niche/independent content.
• Blue Ant Media: Blue Ant Media is a privately held international content producer, distributor, and channel operator with FAST channels and content licensing to broadcasters and streamers — highly comparable business mix to Questar's library + channel + distribution model.
• Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment: Operates Crackle Plus (FAST channels), Redbox streaming, and a content distribution business that licenses acquired libraries across AVOD/SVOD and smart-TV platforms — directly comparable to Questar's sub-brand FAST strategy and licensing model.

Emerging players

• Syndicado: Syndicado is an independent film and documentary sales agency licensing curated content to streaming platforms and broadcasters globally — a smaller-scale direct peer with comparable acquisition-and-distribution focus on niche genres.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/questarvideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/questar-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Questar