Future of MENA TV viewing to come under microscope at CABSAT Content Congress

Major Studios, Production Houses and On-Demand Providers Dubai-bound

Dubai, UAE – Monday 8th February: Influential decision-makers from Dreamworks, Sony Pictures, Netflix, Fox International, NBC Universal, Australia’s FremantleMedia, ITV studios, Talpa, Dailymotion, Qatar’s beIN network, the European Broadcasting Union and a host of other major Hollywood and Bollywood studios, worldwide production houses, IPTV and direct broadcast satellite providers, ad agencies, on-demand and OTT providers, and cloud-based TV network broadcasters will discuss the future of TV viewing across the MENA region at CABSAT 2016.

As part of its industry-shaping remit, CABSAT 2016, the leading platform for the broadcast, production, content delivery, digital media and satellite sectors across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), will feature the all-new Content Congress – a holistic, state-of-the-industry dissection presented by CABSAT, NAB Show and the former’s new Content Marketplace offering.

With growing connectivity across the MENA region reshaping consumers’ viewing habits, an idle traditional TV advertising market and abundant alternative revenue streams in digital advertising and pay TV services, the Content Congress will host 16 sessions featuring more than 40 renowned voices from regional and global media houses.

The gathering will debate disruptive technologies, the transition to digital broadcasting and monetising multi-platform services in a MENA media market where entertainment and media spend is expected to reach US$66 billion by 2018 according to forecasts by the global analyst division of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Strategy&.

“TV has evolved and with greater mobility through the increased use of connected devices and viewers increasingly exploring optimised content delivery platforms, the MENA region’s filmed and audio entertainment market is undergoing transformational change,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

“CABSAT is staying ahead of that transformation by providing a platform where international game-changers and regional start-ups explore the disruptive, immersive technologies that are creating the next generation of multi-screen viewing experiences.”

Under a primary theme of ‘The Future of Television in a Connected World’, the Content Congress presented by CABSAT, Content Marketplace & NAB Show will be opened by Eric Ellenbogen, Co-Head of Dreamworks Studios, delivering a session on how OTT platforms will change traditional broadcasting over the next 10 years.

"I'm excited to be a first-time participant at CABSAT and look forward to sharing updates on behalf of DreamWorks Animation - the newest global player in the family entertainment ‘TV everywhere’ space - with the region’s leading media industry names and entities,” said Ellenbogen. “With the anticipated spend of emerging regional streaming services added to the expected US$7 billion-plus programming spends by Hulu, Amazon and Netflix alone in 2016, the Content Congress will dissect the future of a forever altered TV ecosystem.”

Other confirmed speakers include Ashi Seth, Manager Enterprise Platforms, Netflix; David Butorac, CEO, OSN; Mohamed Burhan, CEO, CNBC Arabia; Sanjay Raini, GM, Fox International; Dr. Raed Khusheim, CEO, Selevision; Jean Philip De Tender, Director of Media, European Broadcasting Union, Jamal Sharif Chairman, Dubai Film & TV Commission; Paul Baker, Executive Director Film & TV Services, TwoFour54; Marc Eychenne, Vice President International Content, Dailymotion; Emeka M’ba, Director General, National Broadcasting Commission of Nigeria; and Glenn Gainor, President, Physical Production – Screen Gems, Sony Pictures, amongst others.

“I’m excited to talk about technology and filmmaking trends in our global industry this year at CABSAT presented with Content Marketplace,” said Gainor.

“Today, more than ever, technology is playing an important role in how we tell our stories. It is allowing us to spread our wings and photograph our movies in great destinations such as the UAE. I have had the opportunity, for instance, to produce in Abu Dhabi and I look forward to bringing more films to the UAE to take advantage of its spectacular landscapes, cities and talented crew.”

All Content Congress attendees will also receive  exclusive state-of-the-industry reports worth USD$3,495  on ‘Disruptive Technologies and Business Models in the MENA Media & Entertainment Market’ prepared by Frost & Sullivan, the Knowledge Partner for CABSAT 2016.

The core CABSAT 2016 exhibition is open free-of-charge to business and trade visitors 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 find out more or book a Content Congress seat.