January February Euromedia | Page 28

cabsat_cabsat 25/02/2016 18:42 Page 1 A thought-leading Congress programme and a roster of blue-chip exhibitors make the leading platform for the broadcast, production, content delivery, digital media and satellite sectors across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia a must-visit event. Euromedia picks the highlights. he 22nd edition of CABSAT - the leading platform for the broadcast, production, content delivery, digital media and satellite sectors across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) - will continue to demonstrate disruptive innovation and monetisation opportunities across the MENA filmed and audio entertainment media market. Running March 8-10 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), CABAT 2016 will welcome more than 15,000 regional and international visitors involved in the creation, management, distribution and monetisation of content to explore pioneering products, technologies and regional investment avenues. The tailored event provides an opportunity for industry professionals to test, use and experience the latest equipment in the broadcast, satellite communication, content delivery and electronic media industries. With the Middle East and Africa electronic media market undergoing a fascinating transformation, forecasts by the global analyst division of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, predict entertainment and media spend will reach $66 billion by 2018. In this lucrative environment, CABSAT provides a tailored experience for industry experts to engage, CABSAT 2016 T 28 EUROMEDIA strategise and debate future market trends. AGENDA. Leading the CABSAT 2016 agenda are the rise of time-shifted, or ‘binge’ viewing, on Video on Demand (VOD) platforms, and the mass regional adoption of internet-driven content delivery platforms including Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), and Over The Top (OTT). In a region where more than 900 free to air TV channels serve the Arab world, satellite distribution still accounts for over 80% of the regional market. Despite being relatively new options, IPTV and OTT already contribute nearly 20% of regional content delivery platforms, thereby providing new opportunities for broadcasters and PAY-TV operators to monetise content via an emerging post-TV market. “The accelerated adoption of mobile technology across the region has created tremendous and transformative opportunities across multiple media platforms,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, exhibitions [