The inaugural edition of DISCOP Africa, the audiovisual content market dedicated to promoting broadcast and new media business in Africa, opened on Wednesday 25 February. The organises originally estimated that the market would attract about 300 buyers, sellers, broadcasters, ad agencies and new media developers from the continent and overseas. At the opening of the conference section of DISCOP Africa, it was announced that just on 450 attendees had been registered.
The breakdown of registered delegates included 153 buyers, 160 content sellers, 9 pay-TV broadcasters, 29 public and private broadcasters and 16 advertising companies. There is a significant South African presence which includes representatives from e.tv, M-Net, MultiCHoice Africa, SABC, SABC News International, SuperSport, independent production companies and producers.
DISCOP Africa which also helps delegates in organising relevant meetings, revealed that it had been involved in setting up 3,000 meeting which will take place over the market days of Thursday 26 and Friday 27. February.
The conference programme on the first day focused on content development as well as new distribution platforms via broadband, IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), DTT DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television), mobile and cable. Panel speakers were upbeat about the opportunities available in Africa and expressed the view generally that Africa offered a new market for international companies which were combating the global financial crisis.
Based the success of the first DISCOP Africa, a second event will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 16 – 18 September 2009.
Footnote: Screen Africa’s April magazine will cover issues such as rights costs, piracy, triple play and barter dealmaking which were raised during the DISCOP Africa conference.
