The panel will discuss how broadcast media organisations have been forced to adapt to lockdown measures, which brought production to a grinding halt – and how they intend to recover now that these measures are beginning to ease.
CABSAT.virtual is set to host the next webinar in its new series today, June 11, at 2pm UAE time. The webinar will explore the challenges posed by the abrupt halt to TV and film production induced by Covid-19.
The panellists for this webinar include Tracey Grant, VP Content and Channels, ViacomCBS Networks Middle East, who leads content strategy for one of the world’s leading producers of premium entertainment; Catherine Mwangi, Head of TV Production & Programming, Kenya Television Network, who drives creative thinking and innovation for Kenya’s first and oldest private TV station; Khulud Abu Homos, Founder and CEO, Arab Format Lab, the force behind the startup that is crowdsourcing talent in the Arab world; and Nick Grande, CEO, mena.tv Founder and CEO of Mena.TV.
The world’s biggest production houses and major OTT streaming services have built their reputation on their ability to continuously offer users new content options. These organisations are now being challenged to stay creative and find ways to keep feeding content-starved subscribers in the midst of delayed and suspended production of films and TV series.
However, production is beginning to resume, with Australia rolling out comprehensive regulations governing TV and film production, while Hollywood studios are set to reopen on 12th June. The Dubai Film and TV Commission also announced last month that it was issuing permits again for filming in the emirate, although with strict social distancing measures in place.
Attendees of the CABSAT.virtual webinar will find out if film companies are seriously considering handing their major releases to streaming platforms despite significantly less revenue, whether social distancing will impact the ability of a cast and crew to film, and how production companies are adapting their content given the restrictions that are currently in place.
“I am delighted to have the chance to take part in this discussion. With so much going on in the world, it is important to creatively adapt the way we produce content and to bring positivity to screens everywhere, while continuing to offer new content and stay connected with our audience, which is our ultimate goal.” Tracey Grant, Vice President Content and Channels ViacomCBS Networks Middle East, said.
Catherine Mwangi, Head of TV Production and Programming, Kenya Television Network, noted that these are strange times and “nothing we have navigated before”.
“Hit by a global pandemic and cultural and political upheaval, how do we find our footing again? How do we define and translate who we are while still reaching audiences with content they want to engage in? I am looking forward to share my thoughts as well as glean from others on how to transition from the old to the new,” she asked and will explore this with industry peers in the discussion this afternoon.
