How to Find a Distributor for Your Planetarium Content

Finding a distributor is not the first question to ask. The first question is which market do you want your show to be in.

DISTRIBUTION

3/3/20262 min read

Distribution agreement on a table with a pen, world map in the background.

The distributor should follow from the answer. There are distributors operating in most countries around the world and they vary enormously in terms of which markets they cover, how actively they work for their clients and what they ask in return.

Start With The Market, Then Find The Right Partner

Before approaching anyone, be clear about where the show needs to go. A distributor with strong relationships in North America is not necessarily the right choice if the primary audience is in Europe or Asia. Deciding which markets matter most first makes the search for the right distributor considerably more focused.

Understand The Exclusive Versus Non-Exclusive Decision

This is one of the most consequential decisions in the distribution process and deserves more thought than most producers give it.

Going non-exclusive allows working with multiple distributors simultaneously while still selling directly to venues. It retains flexibility and control.

Going exclusive means the distributor handles all sales for the show. There is no direct selling. Every enquiry goes through them. In return they typically invest more in marketing the title, but they also take a larger percentage of every licence.

Neither model is right in every situation. It depends on the distributor, the markets being targeted and how much direct involvement is wanted.

Protect Your IP Before Sending Anything

This is the step that gets overlooked until something goes wrong. Before sending a show to any distributor or venue, the legal side needs to be properly covered. A distribution agreement should set out exactly how the show can be screened, in which territories and under what terms. Getting this right from the start protects both the work and the income it generates.

One resource most producers do not have access to

After 25 years in this industry I have built a comprehensive list of every fulldome distributor operating worldwide. Who covers which territories, who attends the right events and who is actively working for their clients. That kind of knowledge takes years to accumulate and it is one of the most practical things I bring to producers when working together on distribution.

If you are ready to take your fulldome show to market and want help identifying the right distributors and protecting your content properly, get in touch.