Day 2 of NEM Dubrovnik 2026 brought together leading executives, distributors and content creators for a packed program of keynote discussions, industry panels and international content showcases, further cementing the event’s position as the leading television market in Central and Eastern Europe.
The day began with networking sessions hosted by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, while business meetings continued across the event’s Sunset, Mare and Adriatic zones, providing opportunities for industry professionals to connect and explore new partnerships.
- Day 2 of NEM Dubrovnik 2026 brought together leading executives, distributors and content creators for a packed program of keynote discussions, industry panels and international content showcases, further cementing the event’s position as the leading television market in Central and Eastern Europe.
- Click here to read about Day 1.
- Click here to read our NEM Dubrovnik special issue.
Among the morning’s key sessions was The Leader’s Decision Making: Intuition vs. Strategy, moderated by senior media executive Maria Valenzuela. The panel examined how executives navigate increasingly complex market conditions by balancing data-driven decision-making with intuition, experience and long-term vision.
Industry perspectives were shared by a distinguished group of speakers, including Avi Armoza, Natalija Gorščak, Henrik Schneider, Stella Litou, Arnaud Verlhac and Bartosz Witak. The discussion highlighted the growing importance of adaptability, leadership and strategic thinking as the television industry continues to evolve amid technological and consumer shifts.
The second day also featured keynote insights from CME CEO Samuel Barnett and Fremantle’s Jens Richter, alongside panels exploring hybrid television distribution models and the latest developments across CEE markets. Attendees were additionally treated to exclusive screenings and presentations from The Walt Disney Company, ITV Studios, Audiovisual from Spain and Paramount Global Content Distribution.
As conversations around content, technology and market transformation continue to shape the industry, NEM Dubrovnik once again demonstrated its role as a key meeting point for international media executives looking to navigate the future of television.
This was followed by a keynote Q&A session featuring Sam Barnett, Chief Executive Officer of CME, who discussed how local content continues to succeed in a global market and what makes the CEE region unique. “Local wins. That’s the conclusion I keep coming back to after two days at NEM. Audiences in our part of the world want stories rooted in their own culture, their own history, their own moment, and that’s the one thing no global competitor can manufacture or acquire.
At CME we’ve spent thirty years building exactly that: content that knows its audience, newsrooms that people actually trust, and now the technology to do it at a scale and quality that changes the competitive equation. The conversation at NEM was sharper than ever this year. This industry knows it’s in a defining moment, and the people in this room are the ones who’ll determine how it plays out,” Sam Barnett explained.
International content trends remained in focus through the ITV Studios Presents: New Formats & Breakout Hits showcase, presented by Huub Van Ballegooy and Martijn Plaizier, offering attendees an exclusive look into upcoming formats and global hits.
The future of TV distribution was explored during the panel The Hybrid Future of TV Distribution in 2026. Is Satellite Still ‘Sexy’, Relevant or Just Necessary?, sponsored by SES and moderated by Stanislav Kimchev. Speakers including Mihai Ursoi, Caroline Hurmson, Lucyna Koba, Jakub Brzeczkowski and Marijana Vukašinović discussed how hybrid satellite-OTT models are reshaping content delivery, while satellite technology continues to play a key role in live events, reliability, reach, sustainability and cost-efficient distribution.
Attendees also had the opportunity to discover new Spanish productions during the Spain Upfront by Audiovisual from Spain showcase, featuring representatives from Atresmedia, Mediterraneo, Movistar Plus International, RTVE, Secuoya Studios and Artico Distribution.
The afternoon agenda included an exclusive screening by The Walt Disney Company, followed by the panel Why CEE Operators’ Decisions Work Differently, moderated by Jonathan Broughton, explored why the CEE region cannot be reduced to simple narratives about smaller markets or lower budgets. Instead, speakers highlighted how the region operates by different rules, shaped by unique market dynamics, audience behaviours and business priorities. Insights were shared by Luca Borzatta, Peter Wassong, Elena Petrova, Tomislav Čizmić and Szilvia Szabó.
“Slovenia is a small but highly demanding market, where consumers expect the same quality of connectivity, content, and digital services as those available in Europe’s largest markets. Meeting these expectations over the long term requires an environment that supports investment, innovation, and sustainable sector development. Only then can we continue to deliver the quality, reliability, and user experience that consumers expect,” pointed out Tomislav Čizmić, President of the Management Board, Telemach Slovenia.
Another major highlight was the keynote session Then, Now and Next: How Content, Platforms and Value Have Transformed, featuring Jens Richter, CEO of Fremantle, who reflected on the evolution of the global content industry and the changes transforming viewer expectations and business models.
“Ten years ago, we were very much an entertainment show, driven by talent shows and game shows. Around 2015, we went heavily into drama, initially focusing on premium productions. Over the last 10 years, we have also worked our way into mainstream drama. We also expanded into factual, with a mix of premium factual and long-running strands, and over the last couple of years, we have gone into movies,” explained Jens Richter.
The agenda concluded with a screening presented by Paramount Global Content Distribution, where attendees discovered Paramount’s newest premium scripted series fresh from the LA Screenings, including Eternally Yours, The F Ward, Cupertino and Einstein, alongside an exciting slate of international formats.
As the sun set over the Adriatic coast, participants continued networking during the Happy Hour by Paramount Global Content Distribution at Pool Terrace, before ending the evening at Vala Beach with Tuesday Night featuring Groove Assembly ft. Vanda Winter, sponsored by Eutelsat, IKO Media Group, Mediatranslations, UniqCast, and Videomite.
NEM Dubrovnik 2026 continues tomorrow with new panels, screenings, meetings and networking opportunities, bringing together the most important decision-makers from the television and media industry.
Click here to read about Day 1.
Click here to read our NEM Dubrovnik special issue.
