– The leading CEE industry gathering expands its market, programme and strategic focus on transformation, content and leadership
A previous edition of NEM Dubrovnik
The full agenda for NEM Dubrovnik 2026, set to take place from 8 to 11 June, has been unveiled, confirming the event’s growing stature as one of the key industry gatherings in Central and Eastern Europe. This year’s edition is set to be the largest to date, bringing together more than 300 companies, over 200 buyers from the region and upwards of 150 exhibitors across three market areas – Sunset, Mare and Adriatic – marking a 50% increase in overall market size compared to last year.
The programme reflects the major forces currently reshaping the audiovisual landscape, from evolving business models and distribution strategies to technological disruption, consolidation and shifting audience behaviours. With more than 80 speakers, the event aims to combine strategic insight with practical perspectives on the future of the television and content industries.
A strong thematic focus is placed on industry transformation and emerging trends. The opening session, “NEM Kickoff: Three Media Trends”, powered by the European Audiovisual Observatory, will explore new partnerships between broadcasters and global streaming platforms, investment disparities between CEE and Western Europe, and the impact of consolidation. These topics are further expanded in panels such as “What Mega Mergers Mean for the Future of Media”, which examines how large-scale corporate integrations are redefining competition, content strategies and regulatory frameworks.
The evolving distribution ecosystem is another central pillar of the programme. Sessions including “The Hybrid Future of TV Distribution in 2026” will analyse the coexistence of OTT and satellite, while “The Trend You Think Is Overhyped” offers a critical look at current industry narratives. Discussions around monetisation and content discovery also feature prominently, with panels addressing micro-drama formats in CEE, YouTube as a distribution channel and the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping viewing habits.
Finally, the panel “Stopping Digital Piracy: What Actually Works?” will examine which anti-piracy strategies are delivering real results.
Leadership and decision-making form a key strand of the agenda, highlighted by keynote sessions from senior executives including Sam Barnett (CME), Jens Richter (Fremantle) and Henning Tewes (Antenna Group). These sessions will explore how companies navigate a more disciplined, profit-driven market while maintaining creative competitiveness and audience engagement. Additional panels will delve into the balance between intuition and data in executive decision-making, as well as the importance of long-term buyer-seller relationships.
The event will also host exclusive screenings and showcases from major international players such as A+E Global Media, Fremantle, Globo, ITV Studios, Lionsgate, Paramount Global Content Distribution and The Walt Disney Company, offering a snapshot of upcoming content trends and strategic priorities.
Networking remains at the heart of NEM Dubrovnik, with a wide range of industry events organised throughout the city, designed to foster partnerships and facilitate business development.
Organised by Mediavision, NEM Dubrovnik continues to position itself as a key B2B platform for the CEE region, bringing together broadcasters, streaming services, telecom operators and content creators. More than a reflection of current trends, the 2026 edition aims to actively test and challenge them, offering a comprehensive overview of the forces shaping the future of the global content business.
