Some 20 additional buyerss had pre-registered, for a total of 323, with an anticipated 390 expected by the end of the market. Sales companies were also up by 20, for a total of 273. Approximately 1,500 attendees in total are expected.

Regional business showed the greatest growth, with 49 sellers from Central and Eastern Europe, "a big increase from the past," Jucaud said. The newcomers are particularly strong in sales of formats, which Jucaud said are selling not only within the CEE region, but outside as well. There is new interest in 3-D TV content in the region as well. Regionally, there is increased attendance from companies from Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

American majors were also making a stronger push in the wake of an improving market situation across the region. Universal, Warner Bros and Fox are all organizing screenings of their series at DISCOP Budapest.

One of the biggest surprises is the emerging strength of Turkish TV stations and series, especially in the telenovela/soap opera genre. "The biggest spenders at DISCOP are Turkey," Jucaud said. "They have high quality productions, and they know how to adapt them to other cultures." Following the lead of Central Asian and Middle Eastern markets, TV channels across Central Europe have caught the Turkish soaps craze, and prices for the product are growing accordingly.

DISCOP has also invested resources into upgrading its meetings system and data base to good effect. "Twice as many companies are using our meetings services," Jucaud said. "That service becomes very important." The data base has helped companies focus on more productive meeting strategies.