The epicenter of the CEE media industry is shifting to the Adriatic coast as NEM Dubrovnik 2026 officially reveals its full agenda.
Poised to be the most influential edition in the event’s history, this year’s gathering marks a massive 50% growth in market scale, reinforcing its status as a critical hub for television executives, content creators, and global buyers.
NEM Dubrovnik 2026 is expanding its physical and strategic footprint across three dedicated market areas: Sunset, Mare, and Adriatic. The numbers speak to a booming regional interest, with over 300 companies, more than 200 buyers from Central and Eastern Europe, and over 150 exhibitors confirmed to attend. This expansion ensures that the networking opportunities, the lifeblood of the global content trade, are more robust than ever.
The agenda is not just larger; it is deeper. Over 80 industry leaders and top-tier CEOs will take the stage to dissect the seismic shifts currently redefining the media landscape. The 2026 program is meticulously designed to address:
- Structural & Business Evolution: Adapting to market consolidation and the “new normal” of streaming economics.
- Content & Monetization: Exploring fresh strategies for distribution and high-value content creation in a fragmented market.
- Tech & Audience Behavior: Understanding the role of AI and data in capturing the evolving attention of modern viewers.
Senior Decision-Makers to Converge at NEM Dubrovnik 2026
Exploring industry transformation and emerging trends
Panels, presentations, and keynotes will offer diverse perspectives on topics within a shared thematic framework, including industry transformation and emerging trends, with the event opening with NEM Kickoff Three Media Trends powered by European Audiovisual Observatory. In this format, speakers will explore three key topics: New form of partnerships between broadcasters and global streaming services, Investments in original European content: CEE vs. Western Europe, Consolidation and impact on CEE
The theme of industry transformation and emerging trends will also be explored in the panel What Mega Mergers Mean for the Future of Media. The session will explore how mega-mergers are reshaping the media landscape through global scaling, content consolidation, and cost optimisation, and how this is redefining competition, content strategies, and impacting consumers, regulators, and the industry’s future.
The program will further explore the changing media landscape through discussions on distribution models, audience expectations, and industry hype cycles. Within this context, panel The Hybrid Future of TV Distribution in 2026: Is Satellite Still “Sexy”, Relevant or Just Necessary? sponsored by SES, will examine the shift toward hybrid delivery models, where OTT expands while satellite remains vital for live events, efficiency, reliability, reach, and sustainability. In parallel, panel The Trend You Think Is Overhyped sponsored by Backscreen will take a critical look at current industry narratives, separating lasting change from passing hype and asking where future focus and investment should go next.
New Paths in Content Distribution and Monetization
The program will also explore new paths in content distribution and monetization, reflecting how platforms, formats, and technologies are reshaping how audiences discover, consume, and value content. As boundaries continue to blur, the discussion will focus on emerging opportunities, evolving audience behaviors, and new models of discovery and value creation. Panel Micro-drama in CEE: Safe Bet or Risky Business? sponsored by Prva TV will examine whether the fast-growing micro-drama format can evolve from global hype into a sustainable opportunity in CEE, exploring audience behaviour, local storytelling culture, platforms, monetization, and brand potential.
The panel YouTube as a Distribution Opportunity will explore how YouTube has become an important part of broadcasters’ ecosystems, offering incremental reach in a fragmented media landscape, especially among younger audiences, while raising questions around sustainable monetization. As content discovery becomes more challenging in an age of abundance, the panel From Search to Suggestion: How AI is Redefining Content Discovery sponsored by WIZTIVI will focus on how artificial intelligence is shifting discovery from search-based behavior to predictive and personalized recommendation systems.
Finally, the panel Stopping Digital Piracy: What Actually Works? will examine which anti-piracy strategies are delivering real results, from enforcement and coordinated blocking to industry collaboration and regulation, while balancing protection, user rights, and a fair digital marketplace.
Leadership and the Human Perspective in a Changing Industry
The agenda will also place a strong focus on leadership and the human perspective behind decision-making in the industry, exploring how executives navigate complexity, build long-term partnerships, and lead through constant change.
The agenda’s leadership and decision-making focus will feature three keynote sessions with senior industry leaders. Sam Barnett, Chief Executive Officer of Central European Media Enterprises (CME), will explore how local content can win in a global market and why the CEE region is uniquely positioned for growth through world-class talent, resonant formats, and a stronger commitment to the full content value chain.
Jens Richter, CEO, Commercial & International of Fremantle, will examine the transformation of the content landscape from the era of peak TV to today’s more disciplined, profit-driven market, and what comes next as stronger IP, shifting platform dynamics, and new technologies redefine value creation. Henning Tewes, Chief Executive Officer of Antenna Group, will address how accelerating media consolidation is reshaping scale, partnerships, and business models, and how companies can build content, platforms, and experiences that create genuine audience connection and lasting attention.
Further leadership perspectives will continue with panel The Leader’s Decision Making: Intuition vs. Strategy, examining how executives balance data-driven strategy with intuition and experience. The human side of leadership will also be reflected in the panel What Makes Long-Term Buyer-Seller Relationship Work? sponsored by GLOBO, which will focus on how strong buyer-seller relationships go beyond transactions and are built on trust, transparency, and long-term value creation.
Exclusive Screenings and Content Showcases
This year’s showcases and screenings will bring together leading international TV companies and content creators, presenting exclusive titles and upcoming projects that highlight current industry trends. Participating companies include A+E Global Media, Fremantle, Global Agency, Globo, ITV Studios, Lionsgate, Paramount Global Content Distribution, Spain Upfront by Audiovisual from Spain, and The Walt Disney Company.
Networking Opportunities Across the Event
The agenda places strong emphasis on networking and business development, with dedicated spaces and social events taking place across Dubrovnik. Networking events will be organized by Paramount Global Content Distribution, Broadpeak, Fremantle, Globo, ITV Studios, Videomite, The Walt Disney Company, Pickbox, OIV Digital Signals and Networks, Audiovisual from Spain, and Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, creating continuous opportunities for meaningful connections throughout the event.
With a strong focus on the CEE region, NEM Dubrovnik 2026 is built around industry transformation, content and monetization strategies, technology and distribution, and exclusive showcases from leading production companies. More than a reflection of current trends, the event actively tests, challenges, and evaluates them through the lens of real business outcomes, bringing together key industry players to examine what is truly shaping the future of the media and content business.
This approach is reflected across the full agenda of NEM Dubrovnik 2026, which brings together key sessions, showcases, and networking opportunities addressing the industry’s most important topics.
All the latest information about the event is available on the official NEM Dubrovnik 2026 website.
