Drive’s distribution arm strikes Barcroft deal

Fledging distributor Drive Media Rights has picked up a raft of content from Barcroft Media.

Drive is the UK-based funding and copro specialist that officially launched its distribution arm last week, with former Zodiak exec Laura Masson heading up sales.

It said today that it has added a 1,000 short films from Barcroft, which has a range of successful YouTube channels, to its catalogue.

Drive will package the content as both shortform clips and longform programmes internationally for linear nets, and will work with the Barcroft team on sales to digital platforms.

It will have the new programming ready for MIPCOM next month. It will be divided into thematic strands including Born Different, Dog Dynasty, Beast Buddies, and Wildest Animal Rescues.

“Short form content has come of age and we’re delighted to be working with the Barcroft team to help exploit their diverse catalogue of content in both traditional TV and digital sectors” said Drive co-founder Ben Barrett.

“Audiences love quality short form content, and there is a growing demand across linear and digital channels for our unique factual videos,” added Barcroft Media CEO Sam Barcroft.

“We’re pleased to extend our long and successful relationship with Lilla and Ben as they build their innovative new distribution business.”

Some of the content now in the Drive catalogue is from a new Barcroft YouTube channel launched today, Barcroft Animals. It has 2.3 million subs across its existing YouTube channels and noted six of the ten most popular films ever on these are animal stories.