DISCOP Africa to Launch in February 2009

PARIS/LOS ANGELES, March
12: The creators of the Eastern- and Central European-targeted DISCOP market
have announced the launch of a new niche content market, DISCOP Africa, which
is set to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from February 25 to 27, 2009.

The announcement was made
by Patrick Jucaud, the general manager of DISCOP, and Rick Feldman, the
president and CEO of NATPE, DISCOP’s joint partner.

Full details of DISCOP
Africa 09 will be confirmed shortly. The three-day market is intended to
combine a high-profile conference focusing on the investment opportunities in
African television stations and a dedicated market for buyers and sellers with
screenings. Various social-networking events will also take place to encourage
dialogue between delegates.

Jucaud commented: “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. More than 300 national, regional and thematic TV channels are now
available, servicing the entertainment, educational and information content
needs of an ever-growing number of viewers. It is important that these channels
have access to high-quality programming with the power to draw large
audiences.”

He continued: “We looked a
number of location options before selecting Dakar to host DISCOP Africa 09.
Other cities in Africa, such as Cape Town, whilst appealing to international
delegates, are prohibitively expensive and less accessible for other African
nations and would lessen the ability for companies to send many executives to
the event. Dakar is easily accessible both from within Africa and
internationally.”

Feldman added: “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.”

—By Irene Lew