CABSAT show has begun

CABSAT 2016 opened at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) today. More than 950 exhibiting brands from over 60 countries have descended on the 22^nd edition of the event that covers broadcast, satellite and entertainment content sectors across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA).

In addition to scores of new-to-the-show broadcast and production companies, content studios and distributors, telcos, cable TV and satellite firms, more than 13,000 regional and international industry professionals will test, use and experience the latest equipment in the broadcast, satellite communication, content delivery and electronic media industries at CABSAT 2016.

“As international media companies and investors consider their global expansion strategies, CABSAT provides an exceptional opportunity to meet all of the key broadcasters, production companies, distributors, content creators and content vendors in the region, as well as providing a crucial viewpoint on industry trends that will help companies to evolve their product development strategies and sales channels,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC.

“Our exhibitors and visitors recognise the unique benefits CABSAT brings to explore pioneering product innovations, technologies and regional investment avenues for the electronic media market.”

With the Middle Eastern and African filmed and audio entertainment media market undergoing a fascinating transformation – forecasts by the global analyst division of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Strategy&, predict entertainment and media spend will reach US$66 billion by 2018 – more than 900 free to air TV channels currently serve TV viewers across the Arab world.

Although satellite distribution still accounts for over 80% of the regional market, CABSAT will shine the spotlight on the abundant opportunities for broadcasters and PAY-TV operators to monetise content via an emerging post-TV market. The mass regional adoption of internet-driven content delivery platforms including Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) or TV delivered over broadband, and Over The Top (OTT) or content streamed directly to handheld devices, game consoles and SMART TVs connected to broadband, already contribute nearly 20 percent of regional content delivery platforms.

Amid this ‘anywhere, anytime’ trend, CABSAT 2016 also hosts more than 500 local, regional and international content buyers at the first Content Marketplace presented by CABSAT title sponsor Selevision. The dedicated platform has been conceived for TV and film content creators, production houses and studios, distributors of content, producers, editors and advertising houses to buy, sell and explore co-production opportunities for the Arabic entertainment content market.

The Content Marketplace has attracted more than 30 brands including India’s largest 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 various regional broadcast pavilion organisers including the Nigerian Broadcast Commission – the first time a West African pavilion has participated at the show.

The Content Marketplace presented by CABSAT will also house this year’s ‘Red Carpet Meetings Lounge’ – a revamped meetings programme for regional and international studio production teams to forge new business relationships in all aspects of the electronic media market – and a purpose-built Screening Theatre presented with Selevision, which will air an exclusive programme of filmed entertainment content during the three-day show.

As part of its ongoing efforts to foster local talent and showcase the Emirate’s success in becoming the region’s most advanced production hub, Dubai Studio City TV & Film Commission will leverage the Content Marketplace to launch a Short Film Competition for industry professionals and students.

Elsewhere at the show, CABSAT 2016 will serve as a strategic launch platform for new products and disruptive technologies from an assortment of leading global manufacturers and developers.

Some of the latest solutions for content production and delivery being debuted at CABSAT 2016 include Ikegami (Stand B1-40) unveiling its new UHK-430 4K/HD portable camera system; industry giant Avid (Stand ZB1-20) presenting a suite of innovative broadcast graphics solutions; Sennheiser (Hall 1 Stand C1-30 – VenueTech stand) revealing its new EK 6042 Two-Channel Camera Receiver; LIVEHD (Stand ZD2-30) introducing the first 55sqm mobile HD LED truck to the regional market; Glensound (Zabeel Hall Stand Z2-116) presenting three new audio products, Paradiso, Mini Cub and Expedition; and Shure MEA (Zabeel 3, Stand ZG2-51) debuting the KSM8, the world’s first dual-diaphragm dynamic handheld microphone.