But in reality the world is too big, the marketing of films to different media to complex and costly, so that no one company, whether it is a major, or mini-major like Miramax, can do IT alone. Meaning typically that they may release their pictures themselves theatrically, license the video rights to another company, sell the TV rights to a broadcaster, and then repeat that procedure in every country worldwide. Or they may choose only to license the picture to TV and Video because the film may not be able to succeed in the theatrical market. A distributor may take all rights or only partial rights. This is usually either a specialist in the licensing of programming to one media only, such as TV or more likely specializing in one country only.
Brokers are particularly common in France, Germany, and Italy.
They are essentially middleman who only look to past on rights to the highest bidder, and really don't seek to hold the rights to a program for very long. Don't get me wrong, there are some very good ones like John Pierson, and John Sloss, who have carved out there own places in the industry. But most producer's reps are hangers on and party goers who's knowledge of the industry comes from reading Variety, and who's industry contacts consist of knowing what the acquisition person from Miramax looks like. Remember if they really had experience selling films they would go where the money is, and work for a real distributor or set up there own shop. I would recommend that unless your very green in this business, and need someone to show you around because you just got your picture in Sundance.