Basic Lead, organizer of DISCOP markets has announced the postponing of DISCOP Istanbul. The annual market was launched in 2008 and the last edition took place in March 2016. Basic Lead plans to position itself for a return to Istanbul in 2018.

“Turkey is an important strategic territory for television content business and Istanbul is a great destination but ongoing geopolitical tensions have had a significant negative impact on this year’s attendance.” says Patrick Zuchowicki, General Manager of Basic Lead, adding, “Four months into the preparations of next year’s edition, we still don’t have a clear indication that the overall perception of these tensions and security issues will improve in the following months. Under such circumstances, it is impossible for our organization to deliver a high quality, efficient market that the industry expects from Basic Lead.”

Launched in 1991 the DISCOP platform was designed around meeting organization between content producers, buyers and sellers; DISCOP regional markets reach 130 countries across Central and Eastern Europe, CIS, the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Sub-Continent and Far East Asia.

Current DISCOP market destinations include Abidjan, Dubai and Johannesburg.