Frequently Asked Questions for Operators

What does PathFinder do?

PathFinder World Video manages the licensing of content from niche, ethnic and religious broadcasters to telco and cable television service operators across North America.  We license their channels for rebroadcast in North America.

What kind of programming does PathFinder offer?

Niche, Ethnic and faith based programming. 

Our niche channel content includes fashion, music, movies, gaming, sports, nature and country programming.

Our ethnic content is programming generated outside of the US that would be of interest to both English and Non-English speaking people living in North America.

Our faith based programming covers a diverse set of religious content.

Why license content through PathFinder?

Hundreds and hundreds of channels seek to place their networks on your system.  Our goal is to provide a single point of contact for the selection and licensing of niche, ethnic and faith based content to make your selection and negotiation process more efficient.

And if you desire content we do not yet have, we will acquire it for you.

Does PathFinder own the channels?

No.  We license the channels from the networks and then sublicense them to independent cable and telco IPTV operators in North America.

Does PathFinder provide individual programs or 24/7 linear programming?

Our primary market is the licensing of 24/7 linear programming but we also offer VOD and SVOD programming.

Where do PathFinder’s channels come from?

Our channels come from major ethnic broadcasters outside of the US as well as emerging niche networks in the US.  We license their channels for rebroadcast in North America.

However we also license and rebroadcast niche content such as gaming, music and religious content.

What is the licensing fee for each channel?

The fee paid is specific to the programming. We will happily provide pricing upon request. Pricing is available for linear programming as part of a basic/extended basic package or as part of a bundled service.  Pricing is also available for SVOD and TVOD programming.

How is PathFinder compensated?

You pay only the licensing fee for the channels you select.  No additional fee is paid by you to PathFinder.

Is PathFinder an aggregator (i.e. Does PathFinder multiplex all its channels into one transport stream for receipt at the cable head end)?

No.  PathFinder does not physically aggregate the content.  We are a licensing agent.  All of our channels are already broadcast by C-band or Ku-band in the continental US.

Does PathFinder aid in the selection of the channels/networks to be carried?

For no charge, PathFinder will conduct a demographic analysis of your homes-passed to determine the ethnic make up of your current and potential subscriber base.  We will then recommend the channels that are most likely to add and retain subscribers for your network.  And if there is content that you desire but we do not yet have, we would be happy to acquire it for you.

How is the channel selection best made?

The goal is to carry channels that appeal to your potential subscriber base thereby increasing subscriber count and lowering turnover.  You want to carry channels that meet the specific, and sometimes peculiar, needs of your individual market.  PathFinder helps you find the content that is most valuable to you. We offer “the long tail.”

Does PathFinder provide bundled programming or can a la carte selections be made?

Either bundled programming or a la carte selections can be made.

Does PathFinder provide video transport services?

No, PathFinder does not provide those services directly.  Rather, we work in close alliance with our video and data transport partners, Pittsburgh International Telecommunications in the United States and Stellar Communications GmbH in Germany to help the networks transport their video content from nearly anywhere in the world to operators across North America.

How is the content received at the cable head-end?

All of our channels are already broadcast by C-band or Ku-band in the continental US.

Can PathFinder provide technical assistance to aid in the ingest and multiplexing of the signal?

Yes, we can provide technical assistance to help you down-link and prepare the signal for playout in your system.  We are happy to help.

Can PathFinder provide head-end equipment?

There is no requirement that any equipment be purchased from us.  But if you desire assistance, yes, through our OEMs we offer a complete line of downlink and receive equipment as well as video streaming products including encoders, transcoders, multiplexers and servers. 

Can PathFinder provide financing of head-end equipment?

Yes.  Through our partnership with U.S. Media Capital, we offer our clients competitive leasing and financing for a full range of technology assets and services including hardware, software, and implementation services.

What other services and products to you offer?

PathFinder MVSAT Mobile SatCom offers a unique and fully automated solution for enabling ad-hoc satellite broadband links worldwide for the contribution of video content into virtually any network while establishing internet and VoIP services.

PathFinder Data Survival is the premier provider of offsite electronic data backup and storage. The goal of Data Survival is to provide businesses with a fully automated, secure, efficient, and cost-effective means of electronically storing data.

Partnered with U.S. Media Capital, the broadcast and post production industry's leading financier; PathFinder offers clients competitive leasing and financing for a full range of technology assets and services including hardware, software, and implementation services.

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