More than 13,000 media industry professionals are expected to take part in Cabsat 2017, the region’s definitive the definitive event for broadcast, satellite and entertainment content sectors.

His Highness Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, director general of Dubai's Department of Information, opened the event at the Cabsat Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

The 23rd edition of Cabsat, running till March 23, fosters disruptive innovation, creation, distribution, and monetisation opportunities across the Mena film and audio entertainment media market.

Sheikh Hasher was guided through the exhibition by Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre Authority.

The media landscape is undoubtedly transforming in the region, following in tandem with global trends. There are 2.4 million pay TV subscribers in the Mena region with just three leading market participants. The entry of MBC endorsed GOBX in Saudi Arabia will likely further open up the total addressable market.

With growing penetration of smart TVs, this stands to be transformational in the long term for OTT video services and video on demand.

“Cabsat is the hub for the media industry in the region. As the leading exhibition of its kind, Cabsat provides a strategic entry-point and platform to a regional audience eager to consume and create media. Cabsat will highlight the wealth of disruptive and transformative technologies that are fast creating new monetisation avenues for telcos, broadcasters, content producers, OTT channels and satellite providers alike,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, Events Management, DWTC.

There are over 15 local OTT platforms operating in Mena, besides international participants who have a presence in Mena. A dedicated arena for TV and film content creators, production houses and studios, distributors of content, producers, editors and advertising houses, Cabsat's Content Delivery Hub focuses on Over The Top (OTT) technologies that facilitate the delivery of video or digital content via internet protocol and purpose built platforms for ‘anytime, anywhere’ consumption.

An expansion of Cabsat’s broadcast-related satellite profile, the co-located Satexpo Conference will deliver satellite communication solutions and technologies to numerous industries across the Mena region on the first day of the event, March 21.

The Content Congress will return 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. - TradeArabia News Service