The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing unprecedented and extensive growth within its media broadcast and communications sector. With fast-paced technological advancements there is also massive growth potential in accessing information via social and new media channels.
The opportunities and challenges faced by government ministries and regulatory authorities, content providers, satellite and mobile operators as well as media buyers and advertising agencies will be addressed at the four-day Saudi Broadcasting Business Forum, which is due to take place at the Holiday Inn, Al Qasr, Riyadh on 4-7 December 2011.
“Broadcasters are now facing a new and rapidly evolving communications landscape. Distributing content onto new platforms, such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and smart mobile devices could provide a revenue windfall,” said Raj Parmar Forum Director from IQPC, the organisers of the event.
“However, new and social media platforms have become increasingly sophisticated and now play a pivotal role in how and when we can access information. Add to that censorship and regulatory issues, rights to content and pricing and it soon becomes clear why the Saudi broadcasting market is still an enigma to many industry players,” added Parmar.
The Saudi Broadcasting Business Forum will provide delegates with the opportunity to learn not only about market-leading technological advancements, but will also give participants an insight into the future direction and shape of broadcasting and communications within the Kingdom.
The four-day forum kicks-off on Sunday 4 December with a day dedicated to strategy – business objectives, market size and trends, revenue forecasting and market share issues. On the subsequent days, the main conference will address topics such as the quality of content, understanding new market dynamics, digital rights management, the complex relationship between new internet and traditional TV, pay to view, piracy and the future of HDTV and 3DTV.
Providing the keynote speech on day one of the conference will be Abdul Rahman Al Hazzaa, Advisor, Supervisor of TV and Official Spokesperson at the Ministry of Culture and Information. He will address delegates about the great potential for delivering effective broadcast in TV and communications across new media and social media platforms. On the final day of the conference, Hasan Sayed Hasan, Head, twofour54 will examine the challenges of HDTV in the Arab World.
The Saudi Broadcasting Business Forum has attracted leading expert speakers such as Alan Musa, General Manager & VP Africa, Middle East and Pan Region, Turner Broadcasting; Caroline Faraj, CNN Arabic Digital Services Director, Hossam El-Sokkari, Yahoo-Maktoob Middle East; Dr. Ali Shwel Algarni, President, Saudi Association for Media and Communications and Saad Al Qahtani, CEO, Arabtech TV.
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