DISCOP Africa Sees 32 Percent Increase in Attendance

JOHANNESBURG/LOS ANGELES: The ninth edition of DISCOP Africa wrapped on Friday, following a three-day event that saw attendance up 32 percent on the year prior.

There were 1,515 delegates, including more than 230 exhibitors. Also in attendance were 400-plus acquisitions, commissioning and programming executives representing Africa's public and commercial broadcasters, pay-TV operators, OTT platforms, mobile networks and production companies. This year saw more than 10,000 scheduled meetings taking place between buyers and sellers of content.

This year’s event also saw a strong 100-plus delegation from Ivory Coast, including the minister of communications. The rise of French-speaking Africa, and bridging the gap between French- and English-speaking countries, was a major focus of DISCOP Africa 2014.

DISCOP Africa 2015 will be held on November 4 to 6, once again at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Patrick Zuchowicki, DISCOP Africa founder and director, said, “DISCOP Africa is now all about business. This year we have been very pleased to see that all major players in the industry take Africa seriously. They have all woken up to the fact that the content business in Africa is happening 365 days a year and that, in order to compete in the global market, you have to be present and engaged with Africa.”