HH Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum opens CABSAT 2016

Business

HH Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum opens CABSAT 2016

His Highness Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General of Dubai's Department of Information, opened CABSAT 2016 - the definitive occasion for broadcast, satellite and entertainment content sectors across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA).

With more than 950 brands from 60 nations participating at the region's premier media and content event, Al Maktoum was directed through the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) exhibit by His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre Authority.

With the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) media market anticipated to grow from US$ 16 billion in 2014 to US$ 24 billion in 2019 according to Strategy &, the international expert department of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, more than 13,000 regional, regional and global media industry specialists are expected to go to the event, which ends on Thursday.

"CABSAT remains to function as the strategic entry-point to a buoyant local media landscape that is presently transitioning-- in-line with global audience needs - from High Definition TV, to Ultra HD and 4K TV," stated Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC.
"With more than 900 free to air TELEVISION channels presently serving TV viewers across the Arab world and hundreds more Pay TV channels likewise defending audience share, CABSAT will shine a torch on the abundant disruptive and transformative monetisation opportunities for satellite suppliers, telcos, broadcasters, content producers, independent entertainment providers Internet Protocol Television and Over The Top channels.".

With international OTT trend-setter Netflix recently rolling its service out across 130 international markets including MENA, other significant industry moves in recent months consist of Qatar's beIN Media Group revealing a beIN Movies service and the acquisition of Hollywood studio Miramax previously today.

Elsewhere, UAE-based OSN has boosted its service offering, while a number of regional telcos includes Etisalat, du and Ooredoo have made announcements about brand-new service offerings and content collaborations in different markets. Satellite suppliers are also changing their collective attentions from transmission to material and CABSAT exhibitor Yahlive introduced Fashion One 4K - its first MENA-wide, free-to-air 4K channel - on Sunday.

That trend looks specific to continue. According to a pan-MENA research study carried out by Ipsos, an average of 54 % of Arab web users have paid for content online over the past 12 months - particularly driven by mobile phone platforms - as consumers are significantly used to paying for mobile apps and video games. This 'a la carte' model of direct purchases will grow considerably as more content appears for On Demand purchase, includes the report.
Amidst this 'anywhere, anytime' pattern, CABSAT 2016 is hosting more than 500 regional, local and worldwide content purchasers at the very first Content Marketplace provided by CABSAT title sponsor Selevision. A devoted arena for TELEVISION and film content developers, production houses and studios, distributors of content, producers, editors and advertising homes, the new platform helps with the purchasing, selling and expedition of co-production chances for the Arabic entertainment content market.

The Content Marketplace has attracted more than 30 brand names foring example India's biggest music broadcaster, 9X Media, Selevision, Rajshri, AP International, NBC Universal, ITV Studios, Talpa, Starzplay, Zee Entertainment, Fox International, MBC Group's 03 Productions, Milimages and numerous regional broadcast pavilion organisers foring example the Nigerian Broadcast Commission-- the very first time a West African pavilion has actually gotten involved at the program.

The Content Marketplace provided by CABSAT is also housing this year's 'Red Carpet Meetings Lounge'-- a revamped conferences programme for regional and worldwide studio production groups to create brand-new business relationships in all aspects of the electronic media market - and a purpose-built Screening Theatre presented with Selevision, which is airing a special programme of recorded home entertainment material.

Open free-of-charge to company and trade visitors only, CABSAT 2016 is open from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 March, and 10am to 5pm on Thursday 10 March. Visit www.cabsat.com or www.cabsat.com/marketplace to discover more.