Basic Lead offers TV investors incentive to discover what’s in, not out of, Africa

Joseph O'Halloran ©RapidTVNews | 03-06-2012


As a growing number of global TV operators acquire programming from the region, the DISCOP AFRICA film and TV content market is to subsidise the attendance of up to 100 international content buyers at the Johannesburg event.

Organiser Basic Lead says that it will target executives who are interested in the increasing range of good quality content and formats created in Africa for the event which takes place from 31 October to 2 November at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. It also hopes to attract content buyers representing African broadcasters, thematic channels, pay-TV and on-demand platforms, mobile, broadband and closed circuit networks and alternative content distribution platforms.

Research has shown that regional content of particular interest are South African documentaries, Nigerian films, Kenyan soap-operas, Burkinese series, Uganda game shows as well as other “made in Africa” content which continues to gain new viewers and subscribers.

Basic Lead says that DISCOP AFRICA 2012 will be the strongest ever gathering of film and television content producers and distributors representing Africa’s multicultural television market.

“African television has undergone a huge renaissance, far outpacing the traditional production formulas that the rest of the world falls back on so much, providing a fresh antidote to more mainstream television,” commented Patrick Jucaud-Zuchowicki, General Manager of Basic Lead.

“DISCOP AFRICA is on track to showcase the very best African content, produced in what has become one of the world’s most compelling multiplatform content production centres”

The event will have three national umbrellas for up-and-coming content producers from Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria; a co-production forum centred on French-speaking African programs; a pitching contest for low-cost formats; cross-border comedy concepts and a training program fostering closer co-operation amongst regional and international key players.

Global TV companies increasingly involved in Africa and exhibiting at the 3-day event include BBC Worldwide, Canal+ Overseas, Caracol, CCTV, Cote Ouest, Endemol South-Africa, Fox International Channels, France 24, Globo TV, IMC, IMG, M-Net, MGM Networks, Mondo TV, Nollywood Worldwide Entertainment, Octagon, Optima Sports, Telemundo, Televisa, Thema, Trend TV, TV Azteca, TV5 Monde, UFA TV, Venevision, and Zee TV.