DUBAI: The ongoing development of satellite broadcasting for the Arab world - demonstrated by the increasing number of channels and the rise to global prominence of brands like Al Jazeera - makes the Middle East one of the world's most dynamic markets for technology and content providers, according to international groups heading to CABSAT2007. CABSAT2007, the Middle East's largest electronic media and satellite communications event which runs from March 6-8 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), will attract more than 500 companies from 50 countries, reflecting the significant global interest in the region. The exhibition has become an international meeting point for companies working in cable, satellite broadcast, production and communications. In regards to satellite broadcasting, the Middle East differs from many parts of the world, in that Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting is the primary distribution platform for commercial television, outstripping terrestrial offerings by a significant margin. According to a recent report from the Arab American Institute, the number of Arabic satellite channels has risen from one in 1990 to over 200 today, second only to the number of satellite channels in English internationally. The penetration rate of DTH satellite broadcasting is approximately 34% across the GCC, a figure that is rising rapidly as deregulation allows a greater volume of local content to be produced and as the level of output increases from the four regional broadcasting hubs of Dubai, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan. With dedicated sections for broadcasting specialists, CABSAT has become a major industry platform for companies looking to benefit from these developing trends. "CABSAT provides an ideal point of entry into the fast-growing regional broadcasting sectors, which is why demand for exhibition space has been so high in 2007. It is particularly striking that the demands of Arabic-speaking markets have become priorities for many US and European companies, reflected in their offering at this year's event, said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre. Major companies catering to the broadcast sectors include Arabsat, Gulfsat, iDirect, Intelsat, Eutelsat, Noorsat and Nilesat Omar Shoter, CEO, Noorsat, said: "As a relatively young company, Noorsat has benefited significantly from the growth of the regional and international demand for Arabic and ethnic programming, delivered via satellite. In addition to being the third satellite operator in the Arab World, we now broadcast a range of Arabic channels to Europe for the expatriate population. "Global events like CABSAT - which bring the world's leading companies to the Middle East - can only serve to enhance this process of development, he added. CABSAT2007 is supported and endorsed by the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers (IABM) and GVF.
