Going digital and the total digital transformation has been a long and challenging journey for broadcasters in the region. The role of the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium is to help make this transformation easier throughout the broadcast value chain.

When DBS was launched in 2005, a lot of Asian broadcasters had not yet started the transition to digital. Many have now completed it, or are busy doing so. The ABU launched it as a way for broadcasters to help their fellow broadcasters go digital, with the support of the broadcasting industry. The symposium has shared that journey with them, growing steadily along the way. It is now one of the region’s leading events for the broadcasting and media industry.

The symposium is held each year in Kuala Lumpur. It consists of a conference, an exhibition, masterclasses and workshops, and attracts close to 1,500 participants annually, representing over 350 organisations across the region and beyond.

An ever-expanding range of technologies is now on the market, providing broadcasters with important new opportunities. DBS showcases these to help broadcasters make the right decisions.

The growth in participation reflects the relevance of the issues covered at the conference, workshops and masterclasses, and the strong interest in the products and services on show at the exhibition. The number of exhibitors has risen significantly. In 2005, DBS attracted just four exhibitors. By 2008 this had risen to 20, and by 2011 to 29. In 2019, 45 exhibitors showcased their products and services in 52 booths.

The ABU sincerely appreciates the support of those who take part each year: the conference speakers, the companies who exhibit, and the workshop and masterclass organisers. They are central to the symposium’s success, and we thank them.

The symposium is back as an in-person event after a break of two years. The DBS2025 event, through its conference sessions, panel discussions, focused workshops and masterclasses, presented by eminent experts across the globe, will address challenges, find solutions and share experiences related to digital transition, technology implementation, creative content ideas, and enhancing user experiences.

The DB Symposium, now a prominent event within the industry calendar, provides international and regional exposure to our members and the media industry alike.