More than 900 brands and companies will showcase their products and services at the 23rd edition of Cabsat, the region’s dominant broadcast, digital media and satellite communications technology platform, which opens in Dubai tomorrow (March 21).

Cabsat is the premier event for experts, professionals and hobbyists seeking to target broadcasters, production houses and studios, animation houses, content owners and creators, software developers telcos, systems integrators and distribution channels in the MEASA region.

An exciting, interactive event featuring all the major global technology and content service providers for this growing industry, Cabsat continues to extend its global and regional reach, said a statement. Cabsat will run till March 23 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

With analyst firm Frost and Sullivan reporting recently that 71 percent of internet users in the UAE watch movies online, and on average UAE smartphone users spend 4.7 hours per week watching online videos on their devices, it is safe to say that the region is undergoing a revolution in content viewing platforms, it said.

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 the equipment and hear insights from experts into trends and development in the broadcast, satellite communication, content delivery and electronic media industries at Cabsat 2017.

“Each year, Cabsat provides international and regional media companies and investors an exceptional platform to connect with key broadcasters, production companies, distributors, content creators and content vendors in the region, as well as expert insight on industry trends that will help companies develop their global expansion strategies,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, Events Management, DWTC.

“Cabsat is the leading satellite and cabling exhibition in the region, and allows our exhibitors and visitors to explore an ever-changing market. The transitional nature of the market this year will bring all new product innovations, technologies and investment avenues to Cabsat 2017.”

According to Pricewaterhouse Cooper’s Global entertainment and media outlook 2014-2018, the Middle East and Africa will see an 11 per cent CAGR in total entertainment and media spend during 2013–2018 to reach a total of $66 billion.

Although satellite distribution still dominates the regional market, the way in which consumers are viewing content is quickly changing. From time-shifted viewing platforms, to mobile streaming, today’s content consumer is demanding their entertainment on the go at any time. 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), TV delivered over broadband, Over The Top (OTT) and content streamed directly to handheld devices, game consoles and Smart TVs connected to broadband, is already pushing a shift in monetisation models.

In an expansion of Cabsat’s broadcast-related satellite profile, the co-located Satexpo will deliver all satellite communication solutions and technologies to the Mena region, covering applications for all satellite communications, earth observation, satellite imagery, hybrid network technologies, mobile satellite services and security, and space.

In addition to the exhibition, the Satexpo Conference will be held on March 21, highlighting industry insights from UAE Space Agency, Virgin Galactic, BBC and Al Jazeera. The programme will cover commercial challenges and new potential revenue streams in the MENA region’s vertical satellite markets, delivered by leading global and regional industry architects, strategists, investors and governments across government and military, maritime and aviation, business enterprise and space, telecommunications as well as broadcast and satellite TV.

The Content Congress will return to Cabsat again this year, with support from Diamond Sponsor, Irdeto; Platinum Sponsors, Ross Video, Huawei and Viacom; Gold Sponsors; Dolby and Gracenote; and Silver Sponsors; GSL Pro and Clarivate Analytics, hosting industry leaders for the fourth year running.

Speakers from 20th Century Fox, Starzplay, beIN, ICFLIX, TwoFour54, and MBC are among the leading companies Middle East taking the stage at the Content Congress to discuss the latest innovations and trends in the industry. – TradeArabia News Service