Happy 30th Birthday CABSAT Dubai!
The Top conferences and events you can't miss.
Hey streamers 👋
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Today’s program
This week, The Streaming Lab is all about CABSAT. Today, you’re reading an article that presents the event and highlights the must-see conferences. Tune in on Tuesday for a special podcast packed with tips to help you make the most out of the event. In the coming days, you can also expect detailed articles on several participating Tech companies.
From Local Focus to International Spotlight
Top Conferences at Content Congress You Can't Miss
Don't Miss Out: Extra Special Activities
And… Action!
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From Local Focus to International Spotlight
Just so you know, this isn't my first time at CABSAT. I've been attending this event every year since I moved to Dubai. This year’s a bit special though: CABSAT is marking its 30th anniversary, and I’m celebrating my 10th year of being part of it.
What are the main changes I noticed in the past 10 years?
Looking back, CABSAT has really changed. It used to be all about the latest cameras and those massive trucks prepared for blockbuster action stunts. And the local Telcos were stealing the show with their huge stands right in the middle of the main hall.
OTT and streaming were on the scene even then, but it was mostly the big names that were already in the region.
These days, things look a lot different.
The satellite and space tech worlds still have their spots, with with the SATExpo summit. But I’m not going to write about it since it’s not really our industry.
The event is trying to stay relevant to what’s key in streaming now: Content. That’s why they’ve named their main conference program the "Content Congress". But let’s be real, CABSAT isn’t exactly a hotspot for finding new shows or movies. It's not packed with content providers, distributors, or studios.
Most of the big tech companies will still be there, though. And now, they come from all over the world.
Something else that's caught my eye is how the event has grown. It used to be mostly about MENA, but now the organizers are aiming to make it the go-to event for the Media and Satellite scene across the MEASA region: Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
Do you think CABSAT has the potential to become the NAB SHOW of MEASA?
Top Conferences at Content Congress You Can't Miss
CABSAT features two key conferences: The SATExpo Summit and the Content Congress. Here are the must-attend sessions from the Content Congress for this year:
Navigating New Horizons - the Future of Media and Entertainment in MENA
When: Tuesday, 21st May 2024
Speaker: Karim Daoud (Strategy & Middle East)
Media market prospects in the Middle East: comparative growth by segment, 2023-2027, MENA vs. Global
Media Sector Trends - and implications/opportunities for the Middle East
Role of Government in media sector development
Forecast and Future Outlook
Mastermind Talks: Streaming in the Middle East
When: Tuesday, 21st May 2024
Speakers: Elie Habib (Anghami & OSN+), Natasha Matos-Hemingway (Shahid)
Moderator: Sanjay Raina
Challenges of fragmentation in an increasingly competitive marketplace
Audience insights, AI and anthropology
Content acquisition and cost of content
Customer acquisition and costs associated with it
Road towards profitability
Panel Discussion: How does the MENA Watch TV?
When: Tuesday, 21st May 2024
Speaker: Manoj Mathew (Dubai Media)
Moderator: Moustapha Bekheet (PAM Inc.)
FAST & furious growth: Which model is sustainable and profitable across territories?
Future of linear TV - How fast is it dying?
What are the strategies TV networks are adopting to sustain growth in linear TV?
Is there a substantial difference in the way linear TV programming and channels are being curated?
Is there still a large audience that watches linear TV and paying for it?
The revenue holds that linear television is getting into – how are they sustaining business sustainability?
Fireside Chat: What AI could mean for the Middle East Media Industry
When: Wednesday, 22nd May 2024
Speaker: Dr. Naser Refaat (Rotana Media Group)
Moderator: Moustapha Bekheet (PAM Inc.)
The role of media and current challenges to tradition media
Tech trends shaping the industry – diversify, pivot, innovate
Virtual production and audience of the future
Overview of AI disruptions across the media industry - is it a viable proposition?
The Evolution of Non-English Content in MENA
When: Wednesday, 22nd May 2024
Speakers: Amanda Turnbull (Rise Studios), Wared Seger (Parrot Analytics)
In the MENA region, over 50% of content demand is now for non-English titles
Asian-language TV content, has surged in popularity, with dramas like Squid Game, The Glory and Big Bet making international waves
MENA audiences are increasingly drawn to animation, doubling its demand share to 12% in five years, due to its wide-ranging appeal across age groups
Workshop: How to Create a YT Channel with the Help of AI
When: Thursday, 23rd May 2024
Speaker: Lesha Mansukhani (Nas Daily)
This workshop will take participants into various AI tools that can boost video production workflows on YouTube. They will discover how to leverage AI tools for content creation, social media management, and advertising.
Full agenda available HERE.
Don't Miss Out: Extra Special Activities
Here are some other events that stand out this year:
Co-Production Salon
In collaboration with H.CONSULT, the Co-Production Salon returns: a dedicated meeting lounge focused on investment opportunities in Arabic content.
Broadcast Pro ME Awards
The BroadcastProME Manufacturer Awards will celebrate the companies that are key to the MENA media sector.
Virtual Production Studio
An innovative on-site virtual production studio that will merge physical sets and props with virtual backgrounds.
Dubai Studio City Tour
Visitors can also enjoy a guided tour of Dubai Studio City's premier production and post-production facilities, the largest in the MENA region.
And finally: don’t forget CABSAT isn't just about the conferences. It's a prime spot for networking, catching up with old friends, and meeting new ones ;)
Stay tuned for more tips about CABSAT on The Streaming Lab podcast tomorrow, and in the coming days, we'll highlight the Tech providers participating in the event.
That’s all for today, what you can expect from CABSAT in Dubai next week. If you enjoyed this breakdown, please consider sharing it with your friends and colleagues!
I hope everyone has a great week, see you online next Monday. Until then, enjoy Dark Matter on Apple TV+. A man is abducted into an alternate version of his life. Amid the mind-bending landscape of lives he could've lived, he embarks on a harrowing journey to get back to his true family and save them from a most terrifying foe: himself.
The Streaming Lab is a weekly newsletter exploring the trends that matter to streaming professionals in the MENA region. If you are not already a subscriber, sign up and receive it directly in your inbox every Monday.
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