DUBAI —Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, director general of Dubai's Department of Information, Sunday opened CABSAT 2018 — the definitive event for broadcast, satellite and entertainment content sectors across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA).

Following the official opening, Sheikh Hasher toured the exhibition halls, meeting with exhibitors who have gathered here for the 24th edition of CABSAT, running Jan. 14-16 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

With more 13,000 media industry professionals in attendance in 2017, the three-day event is the leading platform for the broadcast, production, content delivery, digital media, and satellite sectors across MEASA, fostering disruptive innovation, creation, distribution, and monetization opportunities in the regional market.

“Our goal is to provide a platform for experts and professionals in the industry to meet and explore the cutting edge of technology,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, events management, DWTC. “With a burgeoning regional TV market set to reach $15 billion by 2021, as well as host of new solutions for content creation and delivery to be discussed at the content congress, there’s a wealth of content readily available for individuals and organisations attending this year.”

Sharing their insights during this year’s Content Congress, more than 60 speakers representing leading organizations such as Facebook, BBC, iflix, WWE, UTURN, Rotana Media Group, Viacom International Media Networks' (VIMN), Turner Broadcasting, Cote Ouest, Cairo News Company, Discovery Networks and FremantleMedia will deliver keynote addresses and take part in panel discussions.

Also taking a spotlight, the congress will focus on the growth of Arabic content and its role in the region. In attendance will be speakers such as Adam Khwaja, creative director, Cartoon Network Studios Arabia; Khulud Abu Homos, chief executive officer, Arab Format Lab; and Mido Shaban, executive director, entertainment and commissioning, CBC Egypt.

Added LohMirmand, “Arabic content is in increasingly high demand and we have seen more and more exhibitors attend who not only take part in the localisation of international content but are branching out into the creation of premium Arabic content. This is a crucial step in delivering the types of shows that regional audiences respond to and resonate with.”

The Content Congress hosted a panel discussion on the ‘Evolution of Emirati Cinema: the making of Amoory’, which powered by twofour54 and featured Sameer Al Jaberi, associate creative producer, twofour54 and Amer Salmeen Al Murry, film director and producer of Amoory.

Similarly, Satellite Communications Conference’s line up will include high level speakers across broadcast, telecoms, aviation and maritime sectors with the keynote being delivered by Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, director general of the UAE Space Agency.

Bringing together the latest innovations and developing trends in the delivery of global content, the GVF Satellite Summit, part of the Satellite Communications Conference, will host local and international experts spearheading positive change in the satellite industry. Among the speakers are Khaled Al Hashmi, senior director, Space Missions, Science & Technology Management, UAE Space Agency; Khalid Al-Awadhi, manager, Space & Broadcasting Services, TRA, UAE; and Yasir Hassan, mirector, Transmission Operations, Arabsat, to name a few.

An expansion of CABSAT’s broadcast-related satellite profile, the co-located Satellite Communications Conference is set to deliver satellite communication solutions to industries across the region. — SG

Caption: Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, director general of Dubai's Department of Information officially opens CABSAT 2018, the Middle East & Africa’s largest cable, satellite and broadcast event