UAE- No business like show business as CABSAT launches content marketplace

DIUBAI 5th March 2016 (WAM) -- This week's 22nd edition of CABSAT - the definitive event for the broadcast satellite and entertainment content sectors across the Middle East Africa and South Asia (MEASA) which runs March 911 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)will welcome hundreds of major content and production industry professionals at the first Content Marketplace presented by CABSAT title sponsor Selevision.

The all-new Content Marketplace is a dedicated platform 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 market.

More than 500 local regional and international content buyers will acquire programme and commission new and existing content from scores of free-to-air digital and Pay TV channels and networks broadcasters and sportscasters telcos satellite companies and video content platforms.

With more than 950 local regional and international companies participating in the core CABSAT 2016 exhibition the new Content Marketplace feature is a direct response to 32 per cent of last year's show visitors claiming new content was 'critical' to their business in the next 12 to 18 months.

"The Content Marketplace is the region's first exhibition focused purely on the selling and co-production of all filmed entertainment content for the Arabic market" said Trixie LohMirmand Senior Vice President Exhibitions and Events Management DWTC the exhibition organiser. "International players from east and west will meet to discuss accessing and procuring content co-production and format opportunities for scripted & non-scripted content as well as monetising viewing mechanisms that are thriving across the Middle East and beyondfrom the demand for increased production of local Arabic content to the highly-lucrative emerging post-TV market for multi-language content."

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 Meratech Starzplay Zee Entertainment Fox International MBC Group's 03 Productions Milimages and various regional broadcast pavilion organisers including the Nigerian Broadcast Commission.

With a huge focus on buying selling and co-production opportunities for international and Arabic content Dubai Studio City TV and Film Commission will also be present at the Content Marketplace.

"CABSAT is an excellent platform for experts from around the world to discuss and showcase key industry trends and developments" said Jamal Al Sharif Chairman of Dubai Film and TV Commission and Managing Director of Dubai Studio City (DSC). "The exhibition offers great opportunities for emerging and aspiring talent to learn first-hand about new techniques and gain valuable industry insights. After the success of the post-production workshop last year extending our partnership with CABSAT for a second consecutive year underlines our strategic commitment to improve standards across the local industry.

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.