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Questar Entertainment

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Questar Entertainment
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1985
FounderAlbert J. Nader
HeadquartersChicago, IL
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Jonathan Plowman (CEO)
  • Albert J. Nader (Former CEO)
Products
ParentQuestar, Inc.
Websitehttps://www.questarentertainment.com/

Questar, Inc. (Questar Entertainment) is a Chicago-based digital, streaming OTT, production, acquisition and distribution company.[1] Questar Entertainment launched two divisions: Cow Lamp Films in 2018, the company’s independent features division,[2][3] and GoTraveler in 2019, a streaming channel and VOD app digital linear travel channel and free, advertiser- supported video on demand (AVOD) service.[4]

History

[edit]

In 1985 Albert J. Nader launched Quester Entertainment which was one of the first companies to enter the home video market to distribute VHS tapes and DVDs. The company received five awards from the American Film Institute, and was recognized by Billboard Magazine.[1] In 2017, Questar began digital distribution to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.[1] It is estimated that Questar Entertainment has 4,000 movies and series. In 2018, Questar started making originals for digital distribution with a multi-year deal, debuting exclusively on Pureflix.[1]

On December 22, 2016, Albert Nader died of a heart attack in an urgent care facility in Palm Springs, California. The lifelong Chicago resident and his family had a tradition of celebrating Christmas in Palm Springs.[1]

Content

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Content library

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Questar Entertainment has produced approximately 100 original programs for Pureflix, PBS, the Discovery Channel, TLC, the Travel Channel, the History Channel (A&E Networks), and PAX-TV Network.[5] Original titles include Touring Civil War Battlefields, The Dark, The Dream Motel, Real Pirates, and Where Jesus Walked.[6][7] Licensed titles distributed by Questar Entertainment include Rick Steves' Europe, Mexico: One Plate at a Time with Rick Bayless, Anthony Bourdain's A Cook's Tour (TV series) (2002-2003), Women of the House (1995) an American sitcom television series and a spin-off of Designing Women;[8] The Tribe (1999 TV series) a science fiction drama series produced by the Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Group in New Zealand;[9] The New Adventures of Black Beauty (TV series) a television show produced in the early 1990s in New Zealand and Australia;[10] The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson (TV Series);[11] My Classic Car (TV series);[12] and It's a Miracle (TV series) (TV series).[13]

The Dream Motel

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The Dream Motel is an original series produced by Questar Entertainment and Rossetti Productions. It was released as an Original on PureFlix in October 2019. The series is about a motel where the guests have a chance to change their past, present, or their future.[14] The show’s creator, Chip Rossetti, further characterizes the show as “a cross between Touched By An Angel, Quantum Leap and The Twilight Zone.”[15] The series is currently being distributed on Pure Flix, Amazon, TLN, Christian Cinema, FaithNOW and TCT. The second season is scheduled to be released in October 2021 on Pureflix.[16][17]

Divisions

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Cow Lamp Films

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Cow Lamp Films is the independent features division of Questar Entertainment. Cow Lamp Films focuses on diverse creative leaders in the midwest and beyond and also produces and distributes regional and international films and tv for an audience via major streaming platforms and cable television.[18] The company is planning to release some of their films in theaters as well.

Films

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  • Olympia (2018), debuted at L.A. Film Festival
  • Thieves Quartet (1993) written and directed by Joe Chappelle (The Wire, CSI: Miami)
  • Rendezvous in Chicago (2018)
  • The View From Tall (2016)
  • Ginger (2018)
  • Blacksmith (2019)
  • A House is Not a Home: Wright or Wrong (2020)
  • Driftless (2020)
  • Community Theater Christmas (2020)
  • Chicago Heights (2009)
  • Banana Season (2020)
  • Quarter Life Crisis (2017)
  • Close Quarters (2012)
  • Open Tables (2015)
  • Animator (2018)
  • Little Red (2012)
  • Back at the Staircase (2018)
  • The Law of Moises (2019)
  • Skippers (2018)
  • Empty Space (2016)
  • Agents Unknown (2019)
  • Something Out of Nothing (2019)
  • Dear Coward on the Moon (2017)
  • Skeletons in the Closet (2018)
  • The Curators of Dixon School (2019)
  • Welcome to Unity (2018)
  • Hidden (2016)
  • The Glass House (2014)
  • Manlife (2017)
  • Festival: A Documentary (2018)

GoTraveler

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GoTraveler is a travel streaming channel and app digital linear travel channel and free, advertiser-supported video on demand (AVOD) service. GoTraveler content can be streamed through a number of desktop, mobile and internet-connected TV platforms including Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Vizio SmartCast, and Plex (company). GoTraveler is currently producing a new original TV show called Curbside Eats which is centered around takeout and curbside cuisine.[19]

Films

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  • Village of Swimming Cows (2018)
  • Christmas in America's National Parks (2012)
  • Wild National Parks (2012)
  • Yosemite: America's Treasure (2008)
  • Best of the National Parks (2004)
  • Hidden (2016)
  • Best of the Big Easy (2002)
  • Running of the Bulls (2012)

Series

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  • Rick Steves' Europe, Seasons 7 & 8 (2012-2014)
  • Porthole Cruise and Travel Show Hosted by Bill Panoff:, (2024)
  • AmbienceTV (2020- )
  • Savour Australia (2015)
  • Mythical Roads (2010)
  • Discovering the World (1996-2016)
  • Laura McKenzie's Traveler (2012)
  • Back Roads USA (2013)
  • Under the Pole (2020)
  • Cuba, Embracing its Future (2020)
  • Grannies on Safari (2006- )
  • Xtreme Tourist (2010)
  • Smart Travels With Rudy Maxa (2002)
  • Anthony Bourdain's A Cook's Tour (2002-2003)
  • Around the World with Marlin Darrah (2020- )
  • Canada's National Parks (2004)
  • Secrets of the National Parks (2003)
  • Best Parks Ever (2012)
  • Inside America's National Parks (2006)
  • America's National Parks (2015)
  • Green Paradise (2011)
  • Great Horses of the World (2015)
  • Rituals of the World (2018)
  • Wild Life (2013)
  • Water Life (2009)
  • Becoming a Man (2019)
  • Family on the Road (2010)
  • Backroads Europe (2015)
  • The Silk Road (2019)
  • In Search of Hidden Holy Sites (2016)
  • Switzerland's Amazing Train Rides (2014)
  • Disney Parks (2010)
  • The New China (2015)
  • Fantastic Festivals of the World (2004)
  • Great Family Adventures (2011)
  • Travel Thru History (2012)

GoTraveler was listed on Lifehacker’s "Top 10 YouTube Channels to Inspire You to Get Outside" and was spotlighted by Thrillist for its deep dive video into the Carlsbad Caverns.[20][21]

AmbienceTV, a “Slow TV” production company and division of Questar Inc., was launched in 2019. It includes footage of The Shedd Aquarium, Ping Tom Park in Chicago, and Niagara Falls. [22]

New Dimension Media

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New Dimension Media (NDM) has produced and distributed original K-12 core curriculum video content to schools and public libraries for over 40 years. In the last 5 years, New Dimension Media produced 44 series and 417 programs. NDM titles are correlated to state, national, and Canadian provincial standards. [23]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Megan, Graydon. "Albert Nader, founder of video programming company, dies at 84". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  2. ^ "'Thieves Quartet,' 'Quarter Life Crisis,' 'Clarence Elkins,' and 'Rendezvous in Chicago' premiere on Tubi in November". Reel Chicago - At the intersection of Chicago Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production. 2019-11-06. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  3. ^ michaelgloversmith (2018-01-24). "Interview with Josh da Silva of Cow Lamp Films". White City Cinema. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  4. ^ Webb, Jill (21 March 2018). "Travel The World Online With GoTraveler". GoNOMAD Travel. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  5. ^ "Questar Entertainment Releases 'The Christian Traveler' - Christian Newswire". www.christiannewswire.com. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  6. ^ "Video entrepreneur took VHS to streaming - Near Northwest". digitaledition.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  7. ^ O'Donnell, Maureen (2017-01-08). "Questar video house founder Albert J. Nader dead at 84". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  8. ^ "Teri Garr". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  9. ^ "Region Free Set | THETRIBE.CO.UK". Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  10. ^ Millar, Catherine; Crome, John; Smith, Mike (2004-06-29), The New Adventures of Black Beauty: Seasons One and Two, Questar, retrieved 2020-06-03
  11. ^ Eames, Declan (2005-11-08), The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson - The Complete Series, Questar, retrieved 2020-06-03
  12. ^ Woehler, Brian (2015-01-15), My Classic Car: Special Collector's Edition - Classic Collection 5 pk., Questar, Inc, retrieved 2020-06-03
  13. ^ episode, Varies by (2015-01-15), It's a Miracle: 50 New Stories 3 pk., Questar, Inc., retrieved 2020-06-03
  14. ^ TV series "The Dream Motel" to film in southern Illinois, retrieved 2020-06-03
  15. ^ "TV Series 'The Dream Motel,' scheduled to shoot in Southern Illinois The Gazette-Democrat". annanews.com. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  16. ^ Grelle, Olivia. "TV series "The Dream Motel" to film in southern Illinois". Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  17. ^ "TV Series 'The Dream Motel,' scheduled to shoot in Southern Illinois | The Gazette-Democrat". annanews.com. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  18. ^ michaelgloversmith (2018-01-24). "Interview with Josh da Silva of Cow Lamp Films". White City Cinema. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  19. ^ "Curbside Eats". IMDb.
  20. ^ Bouma, Luke (2020-01-15). "The Free Streaming Service XUMO TV Adds The GoTraveler Channel". Cord Cutters News. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  21. ^ "Top 10 YouTube Channels to Inspire You to Get Outside". Lifehacker. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  22. ^ "SCREEN Chicago Filmmakers Join New Travel TV Project June 2020 Stories". www.screenmag.com. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  23. ^ "New Dimension Media Launches CCC! Video on Demand Version 2.0". eSchool News. 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
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