The creators of the successful East European market DISCOP East market will launch a niche content market, DISCOP Africa, in Senegal in February 2009. According to Patrick Jucaud, General Manager, DISCOP and Rick Feldman, President and CEO, NATPE, DISCOP’s joint partner, the market will include TV stations from across Africa, international content suppliers with a clear understanding of the financial constraints of most African TV stations, and suppliers of African-produced television content.
DISCOP Africa 09 will take place at Le Meridian President in Dakar, Senegal from Wednesday, 25 February to Friday, 27 February, 2009. It is anticipated that the event will be of interest to advertising agencies ready to sponsor the acquisitions of high-quality television content and become involved in barter deals within Africa.
Full details of DISCOP Africa 09 will be confirmed shortly, but the three-day event should be opened with a high profile conference, focusing on the investment opportunities in African television stations, and be followed by two days of pre-organized meetings between buyers and sellers and screenings. Various social networking events will also take place to encourage dialogue between delegates.
Patrick Jucaud comments, “There is a real need for an event of this type. The advent of low-cost digital television has made the African continent one of the world’s new emerging markets. It is important that their channels have access to high-quality programming with the power to draw large audiences.’
Rick Feldman adds, “DISCOP East has been hugely successful, developing into the “must attend’ market for broadcasters in Eastern Europe and their distribution customers. Building on our experience in the CEE, we know how to make this new niche market benefit all those who buy, sell and broadcast in Africa.’
After 15 years of operating independently, the DISCOP organisation has partnered since 2005 with the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE). NATPE is a global non-profit organization dedicated to the creation, development and distribution of televised programming in all forms, across all mature and emerging media platforms.
Founded in 1991, DISCOP East is the only television content market strictly targeted at Central and Eastern Europe. DISCOP Africa, launching in February 2009, will be the first event of its kind in the African Continent centered around pre-organized meetings between buyers and sellers of television content.
