MUMBAI: Recently appointed Natpe Content First president, CEO Rod Perth has announced preliminary numbers for room reservations at the market and conference are pacing ahead of last year.

The increase comes as all of the major domestic distributors have committed to attend the 2013 NATPE Market and Conference from 28-30 January 2013 in Miami, marking its 50th anniversary with a forward-looking agenda built around the theme of moving "Beyond Disruption."

Perth noted that each of the major studios will be joined at Natpe 2013 by independent distributors, producers, networks and program representation firms covering all platforms, including Debmar-Mercury/Lionsgate, Banijay, Electus, CableReady, Content Media Corp., FremantleMedia, Globo TV, Hasbro Studios, Lionsgate International, MGM Worldwide Television, Televisa, Univision and Venevision, to name a few.

Next year?s Natpe theme, ?Beyond Disruption?, describes how content, advertising and technology are now interdependent ecosystems that are encouraging reinvention of tomorrow?s business models.

Natope adds that over the past half century it has transitioned from a domestic syndication programme selling forum into a global, multi-platform content market and conference. In that time, it has played an integral role in the success of some of the greatest and longest-running shows in television history.

Perth said, "We?re grateful to provide all who attend the chance to celebrate NATPE?s important role in the history of the television business, as well as to be able to take a thoughtful, reflective, service-oriented approach to exploring the many exciting opportunities and serious challenges that lie ahead. Our objective is to encourage a sense of optimism and reason to the conversation. With the 50th Anniversary celebration providing the perfect opportunity to honor the early foundations of the industry and map out its future, we look forward to a fantastic market and conference in January."

In addition, Perth announced Natpe?s 10th annual Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award. The honorees will include Steve Levitan, creator of ABC?s comedy series ?Modern Family?; John Langley, the ?Godfather of Reality Television? as creator/executive producer of COPS; and Debra Lee, CEO of BET, the TV network aimed at African-American audiences, which currently reaches more than 90 million households worldwide.

Named in honour of Brandon Tartikoff, arguably one of television?s greatest programmers, the award was created to recognize a select group of television professionals exhibiting extraordinary passion, leadership, independence and vision in the process of creating television programming. The Legacy Award ceremony will be presented during a special reception in Miami.

Natpe will explore the ?Beyond Disruption? theme in a new conference format encompassing panel discussions, thought-provoking one-on-one conversations and individual 20-minute presentations that take a close look at disruption and, more importantly, what comes next. Highlights include:

• "Game Changers" - Spotlighting leaders from some of the world?s top companies that have continually challenged mainstream thinking, moving beyond traditional business models and seeking innovative partnerships to find the intersection of disruption and opportunity.
• Masters of Messaging - Featuring top brand executives, production companies, studios and ad solution providers.
• "Storytellers That Shape Pop Culture" - Pairing television?s top icons and creators in a "Chat with?" format.
• Technologies That Fuel Multi-Platform Content - Examining the explosion of video and broadcast capabilities across all screens.
• "Visionaries" - Viewing the media world through the eyes of innovators, content creators, advertisers, technology experts, research analysts and entertainers who will deliver ten 20-minute presentations
• Global Navigators - Focusing on international content and programming including international channels, formats, global production solutions and cross cultural brand strategies.

Speakers will be announced in the months ahead.