Videoage International September 2019

- 6 September 2019 World This 29th annual event will have fewer pay-TV channels, not only due to recent mergers that have reduced the number of exhibitors (Discovery ac- quiring Scripps Networks, Viacom buying Telefe, Disney merging with FOX Networks, to name a few), but also because the current state of the industry doesn’t favor adding more channels to the line-ups of cable and satellite operators. Then, there is the economic downturn in the South Cone that has contributed to the loss of some past Jornadas ’ exhibitors, including Deutsche Welle, NHK, and TV5 Monde. Also not appearing among this year’s exhibitors are Mexico’s AZ TV of Paga (a subsidiary of TV Azteca), Canada’s Stingray, India’s Zee Mundo, and the adult channels HotGo Media, which were all present in 2018. Other traditional Jornadas exhibitors, such as Spain’s RTVE, have chosen to attend as participants through their local offices. In addition to the aforementioned channels, other large pan-regional groups such as Turner, Discovery Networks, Televisa Networks, and RFI/France 24 will have their traditional stands, as will Argentina’s own Claxson, Artear, TyC Sports, and Telearte. The losses of content distributors, however, aren’t hurting the Jornadas too much, as evidenced by an increased number of exhibitors from the technology side of the TV signal distribution business, including several new arrivals from Asia. Nevertheless, the exhibition side of the event will still be slanted towards content and TV channel carriage, while the conference portion will be more concerned with technical issues and regulatory topics. (By Omar Mendez) Pictured above (l. to r.): ATVC’s president Walter Burzaco with Carmelo Ruggilo, director at CERTAL, Centro de Estudios para el Desarrollo de las Telecomunicaciones y el Acceso a la Sociedad de la Información de América Latina. Jornadas : Less Pay-TV, More Tech Companies J ornadas Internacionales 2019 will take place at its usual venue, Argentina’s Buenos Aires Hilton, September 25 and 26. This year, the event will unfold over two days instead of the traditional three. Despite the many changes in the pay-television sector, Jornadas remains unchanged, maintaining its model of offering up an exhibition floor, as well as hosting conferences. Jornadas, the International Cable Days convention, is jointly organized by the Argentine Association of Cable Television (ATVC) and the Chamber of Producers and Programmers of Satellite Signals (CAPPSA). At press time (late August), 63 exhibitors had already been confirmed, including AMC Networks, Disney/ESPN, FOX Networks, HBO LA, and Viacom/ Telefe. Many other content/distribution companies — like the Miami, Florida- basedCondista, representing Italy’s RAI Italia—will be attending as participants. (Continued from Page 4)