As the Dubai edition of the film, TV, online content and adaptation rights market concluded today, DISCOP announced that its Middle East-focused market will move to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from 2019.

Speaking about the shift, Patrick Zuchowicki, CEO of DISCOP, said: “Egypt is the region’s most prolific entertainment content producer with a population of 100 million people and a very dynamic industry. Bringing our Middle East-focused market to Africa will also strengthen our presence on the continent at a time where we see more and more partnerships between these two parts of the world.”

DISCOP Sharm El-Sheikh will take place from 26 to 28 February 2019 and will host Saudi Arabia as the official Guest Country, re-enforcing the importance of regional links and alliances.

DISCOP’s Dubai edition concluded today with 687 delegates in attendance, including 282 buyers, representing broadcasters, pay-tv operators and streaming platforms, primarily operating in the MENA and the Indian Sub-Continent.

Highlights from DISCOP Dubai included the Arab Format Accelerator initiative that showcased 25 original scripted and unscripted shows ready to be adapted for Middle Eastern audiences, as well as a rich programme of conferences and panel discussions focusing on co-production opportunities.

DISCOP Dubai hosted India as this year’s Guest Country and more than 50 delegates representing over 30 entertainment and media companies from India attended the market.

Additionally, a presentation from Sang Uk Park of The Korea Creative Content Agency (Kocca,) also provided insights into another growing market, as he elaborated: “In 2011, format sales were just USD 1 million a year, and in 2016, that number grew to 50m, so they multiplied by 50.”

Speaking to BroadcastPro ME, on the sidelines of DISCOP Dubai, on the state of the regional industry and strategies ahead, Zuchowicki said:

“The Middle East is part of the international production and distribution scene and it is critical for DISCOP to have a presence here. Apart from Dubai, in 2018, we will be organising markets in Abidjan in May, Zanzibar in July and Johannesburg in September. For 2019, we will host an edition of DISCOP in Sharm El-Sheikh and in Lagos, Nigeria,  which is the fastest growing entertainment industry in the world.

“What is exciting in the television industry is not just the quality of productions but the co-productions that are being made possible. For instance in this event, we saw joint initiatives from Ivory Coast and Saudi Arabia, from Korea and India and so on. From the business point of view, while the industry remains difficult, these co-productions open up opportunities that we would not have dreamed of even in the recent past.

“From a financial point of view, the announcement of $65bn to be invested in the Saudi entertainment sector will benefit the industry as more original content will be produced.”