The CABSAT 2025 Guide
What’s happening on stage, and off.
Hey streamers! Welcome to Dubai for CABSAT 2025 😎👇
CABSAT 2025 starts tomorrow, and if you’re coming to (very) sunny Dubai this week, this guide is for you.
I wasn’t there for the very first edition in 1993, but after attending more than 10 times, I’ve earned my badge as a regular 😉
In this guide, I’ll help you make the most of your time:
✅ A quick look at the main agenda
✅ The private events and parties you should know about
✅ Last-minute tips to connect with the right people, especially streamers
Here’s your guide to CABSAT 2025 👇
Read on to learn about:
CABSAT 2025: What’s on the agenda? A quick tour of the official agenda and top sessions to attend
The unofficial CABSAT: Private events, off-agenda summits, and where real conversations happen
So What? How to connect with streamers and make the most of your time at CABSAT
This edition is supported by RightsHero, the AI based technology for Anti-Piracy, Content Protection & Cybersecurity.
If you work in MENA streaming, you already know: The biggest threat isn’t churn. It’s not discovery. It’s not even payment or internet access.
It’s piracy, and everyone in the industry will tell you the same.
There are great initiatives to understand the impact of piracy in the region, like the Iraq Without Piracy summit I attended in Baghdad earlier this year.
But I still hear it too often: “There’s nothing we can do.”
There are real solutions, and experts dedicated to this fight.
RightsHero is one of them, working with local broadcasters, streaming platforms, media companies and festivals across MENA. Some of the tools they use:
Search Engines (De-Listing)
Tubes & UGC Web Enforcement
App Stores Protections
Live Streaming Disruption
Illegal Ads Takedown
Illegal IPTV Devices and Apps Disruption
Pirated Content Monitoring & Analytics
P2P Content Monitoring & Analytics
Cyber Security Services & Auditing
Forensic & Technical Investigation
The results speak for themselves:
✅ 3M+ pirated videos detected in 2024
✅ 94% success rate in content removal
✅ 1.1M+ takedowns on Telegram, Dailymotion, OK.ru
✅ Trusted by Rotana, Shahid, stc tv, Viu, Yango Play, and more
One of the best ways to fight piracy? Keep talking about it, and showing what it really looks like.
Here’s a short video I recommend from RightsHero: “The daily reality for media companies facing piracy.” Let me know what you think!
CABSAT 2025: What’s on the agenda?
If you’ve never heard of CABSAT before, the name might sound old-school, and that’s because it is. It started back when CABLE and SATELLITE ruled the media world.
But times have changed.
Today, CABSAT is much more than that. The event now calls itself: “Pioneering the Future of Media and Entertainment in MEASA.”
If you want to understand what CABSAT is really about, just look at two things: The conference program and the exhibitor list
🎤 Let’s start with the conferences.
This year, there’s one main track called the Content Congress. In the past, CABSAT had 2 separate conferences: the SATExpo Summit and the Content Congress. It seems SATExpo is now its own thing, at least in name. We’ll find out more tomorrow.
Here are some sessions worth attending:
The power shift: Who controls the narrative now?
🕐 Tuesday, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | CABSAT Stage
👉 AI is changing the way stories are told. Local streamers like Shahid and 1001 will share how they’re preparing for this shift.
News reimagined: Merging TV’s authority with social media’s velocity
🕐 Tuesday, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | CABSAT Stage
👉 Young audiences get their news differently. This session looks at how TV and social media can work together to reach them better.
The $500M seasonal drama boom – Trends, business, and global reach
🕐 Tuesday, 1:00 PM – 1:40 PM | CABSAT Stage
👉 Ramadan is the biggest season for Arabic drama. This session will look at the trends, and explain why these shows now matter globally.
Digital transformation and connected TV: Redefining media and advertising in MENA
🕐 Wednesday, 11:10 AM – 11:50 AM | CABSAT Stage
👉 Is MENA ready for Connected TV? What’s working, and what’s still missing?
Micro-dramas: A new wave or the expected future of mainstream Entertainment?
🕐 Wednesday, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM | CABSAT Stage
👉 Micro-dramas are everywhere. But is it really a good fit for audiences in the MENA region?
Innovations in children's entertainment: IPs that transcend borders
🕐 Wednesday, 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM | CABSAT Stage
👉 Most kids' shows in MENA come from abroad. This talk is about building original and authetic local IPs.
Also worth checking out:
🎬 The Co-Production Salon
Now in its 4th year, this private event helps connect production companies, streamers, TV channels, and investors. It’s a chance to talk content at a mostly tech-focused event. Big thanks to Heba Korayem and her team.
🏆 BroadcastPro ME Awards
These awards highlight top innovations in media tech, from AI to sports streaming, production tools, and content management. Curious to see who the big winners will be.
What about the exhibitors?
You can browse the full list here: Exhibitor Directory
To be honest, most exhibitors are tech companies, which is why CABSAT feels like the IBC of the Middle East.
But if you're here to meet platforms decision-makers... Keep reading 👇
The Unofficial CABSAT
This year’s CABSAT feels different. It’s no longer just a traditional trade show with booths and panels where you mostly bump into your competitors.
What makes this edition special?
It’s everything happening around the main event.
Most of these events are private (no, I can’t get you in), but I will be there. So just keep reading, I’ll keep you updated on what really happens behind the scenes. 😉
🎤 Kicking things off today: the CTS Summit @CABSAT, hosted by Comcast Technology Solutions.
Fun fact: this one-day event brought in as many speakers from MENA streaming platforms as the full official CABSAT conference: speakers from STARZPLAY, Awaan, stc tv, Shahid, and more.
That’s what I love to see from a tech partner, bringing the right people together and creating real value.
Here are a few topics on the agenda:
State of the Industry: Key Insights for 2025
Accelerating MENA's Impact in the Global Sports Market
Fireside Chat: Leading Change at DMI
Navigating the Future - The Challenging Role of the Chief Transformation Officer
🇨🇳 Coming Wednesday: iQIYI is making a comeback in MENA.
To mark the occasion, they’re hosting an opening ceremony on Wednesday evening. Let’s see what they announce.
📺 OSN & Magnite are also hosting a closed-door event: “Decoding CTV & Premium Video Advertising: The Promise, The Predicament, and the Opportunity.”
Expect insights about global players like WBD, Hulu, and Pluto, thanks to SpringServe and Magnite. This one is invite-only, but valuable if you’re in.
⛵ Need a break from the expo hall? OTTRed has you covered.
Tuesday night: A yacht networking event with amazing views of Dubai: Bluewaters Island, JBR, the Atlantis, and Burj Al Arab. Expect a relaxed, high-level evening with great people from the streaming world.
Wednesday night: The CABSAT After Party by OTTRed: with over 125+ professionals from streaming, media, and entertainment. This is the party to hit after Day 2.
🇫🇷 French Media in the House
Two key events if you’re part of the French community in media:
French Delegation Networking Reception on Wednesday evening, organized by Business France UAE
Private French Media Dinner the same night
Got another event happening during CABSAT? Just hit reply and let me know, happy to spread the word.
And now… ready for my last-minute tip? 👇
So What? How to connect with streamers and make the most of your time at CABSAT
If you're looking to work with streaming platforms in MENA, CABSAT is the place to start. But let’s be honest: if you haven’t booked meetings yet, you’re already a bit late.
The best way to connect with platforms is to plan ahead, not just for meetings at the venue, but visits to their offices. That’s where real conversations happen.
That said, if you’re lucky enough to get into one of the private events I mentioned above, you’ll have a better chance to meet key people in a more relaxed, casual setting.
My last-minute tip:
Check the agenda, find the speakers from platforms you care about, and catch them after their sessions.
Here’s your cheat sheet for who’s speaking and when on the CABSAT stage.
SHAHID / MBC GROUP – Phillip Badenhorst (Tuesday, 11:30–12:00), Aref Abed (Wednesday, 11:10–11:50)
STARZPLAY / EVISION – Sunil Joy (Wednesday, 12:30–1:00)
VIU – Samer Majzoub (Tuesday, 1:00–1:40)
1001 – William Page (Tuesday, 11:30–12:00)
AWAAN – Manoj Mathew (Tuesday, 12:30–1:00), Heba AlSamt (Tuesday 1:00–1:40), Saleh Lootah (Tuesday 1:40–2:10), Souha El Assal (Wednesday, 1:20–1:45)
TCL – Shujah Farooq (Wednesday, 11:10–11:50)
MYCO – Umair Masoom (Tuesday, 1:00–1:40)
ROTANA – Nisrine Ghazal (Wednesday, 11:10–11:50)
IQIYI – Jing Wang (Wednesday, 1:20–1:45)
ZEE – Adil Memon (Wednesday, 1:20–1:45)
That’s 10 platforms.
Which means just 10% of the streaming ecosystem in MENA is speaking this week. Still, better than nothing, and a solid start.
Whether you’re based in Dubai or flying in just for CABSAT, showing up matters. The streaming world in MENA is small, and we notice who takes the time to visit.
Your next steps?
Learn who the local players are
Meet the people behind the platforms, tech and content providers
Understand the trends of the market
Find out what streamers actually need
Don’t come to sell. Come to listen. And go home with a clear brief: How can I bring value and keep the conversation going?
See you tomorrow 👋
Thanks for reading, see you this week at CABSAT Dubai!
We’ll be back Friday with our Streaming in Short: weekly news updates on MENA and global streaming.
Not a member yet? Join The Lab 🧪 and unlock the full experience. Here’s what you get as a premium member:
✅ Streaming in Short – Weekly news updates on MENA and global streaming
✅ MENA Insights – Analysis of key streaming trends in MENA, backed by data
✅ Event Wrap-ups – Smart AI summaries of industry panels and talks
✅ Full Library Access – Read all free and premium articles
✅ Special Report: Streaming in MENA – Exclusive insights from 30+ local platforms (The Secret Lab access)