Cabsat 2016, a major event for broadcast, satellite and entertainment content sectors across MEASA, will open tomorrow (March 8) in Dubai, UAE with more than 950 exhibiting brands from over 60 countries.

The 22nd edition of the event will run until March 10 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

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 $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 per cent 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.

Cabsat 2016 will also host 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.

Some of the latest solutions for content production and delivery being debuted at Cabsat 2016 include Ikegami unveiling its new UHK-430 4K/HD portable camera system; industry giant Avid presenting a suite of innovative broadcast graphics solutions; Sennheiser revealing its new EK 6042 Two-Channel Camera Receiver; LIVEHD introducing the first 55-sq-m mobile HD LED truck to the regional market; Glensound presenting three new audio products, Paradiso, Mini Cub and Expedition; and Shure MEA debuting the KSM8, the world’s first dual-diaphragm dynamic handheld microphone. – TradeArabia News Service