The 1st African Broadcast and Film Conference attracted over 200 participants from across the continent. There was a real buzz in the air as many people within Africa broadcast industry met for the first time. This 2nd African Broadcast and Film Conference will take place over two days (28-29 July 2010) in Kenya at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi. Key topics include a session on Africa newest generation of Free-to-Air and Pay TV Challengers, a look at how broadcasters can generate local content and a look at multi-platform strategies with social networking and blogs.Chaired by Cathy Fogler of CAfrica Sports, the conference’s  first session will look at the wave of new entrants into the broadcast market in both the Free-To-Air and Pay TV sectors. On the Pay TV side, Joe Frans, CEO and President of NGB Africa, one of Africa’s newest entrants in the Pay TV market will look at the potential the continent offers and how his company will seek to carve itself out a market share. From the Free-To-Air side, eTV Group Executive Regulatory Lara Kantor will look at the policy and regulatory obstacles that broadcasters face as business in different markets. Robert Grant, Head of Media Investment at FCMB will discuss the kinds of business models that will allow broadcasters to succeed.

Everyone now acknowledges that local content is important in getting audiences but the disparity between the cost of bought-in material and locally commissioned programmes doesn't make it easy. But with Africa policy makers and regulators increasing imposing local content quotas on broadcasters, local content is something that broadcasters will need to get to grips with.

This panel session takes the problem from several different perspectives: what does the programme producer need; what are advertisers looking for; what does research tell us that audiences want; what does the Free-To-Air broadcaster need in terms of ideas; how can film-makers produce local films; and budgets to commit to local production and how are Pay TV stations contributing to local content.

Cherise Barsell of DISCOP, Africa leading content market will look at how broadcasters can best exploit secondary rights on programmes they made and the opportunities that may exist for co-production. Nigeria’s Nneke Isaac Moses, CEO of Goge Africa will talk about her experience in getting programmes sponsored.

Other sessions will cover: delivering broadcast output in new ways (including DTH satellite, fibre and IP-TV); the Digital Transition and how Africa can make this work for both broadcasters and audiences; whether broadcasting regulation is currently holding the industry back or spurring it on; how FM radio stations can compete in a crowded market; in the Danger Zone what should broadcasters say or not say; after Nollywood, what next; getting African film scene across the continent; and Multi-Platform strategies.-creating something that is more than words.