NEM Dubrovnik 2026 will bring together over 300 companies, more than 200 buyers from the CEE region, and over 150 exhibitors across three market areas – Sunset, Mare, and Adriatic, with the overall market growing by 50% compared to last year. This level of growth is reflected in a more comprehensive and focused program than ever before, with more than 80 speakers contributing increased depth and perspective to a lineup directly shaping the agenda, the organizers announced today.

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 optimization, 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.

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 behavior, 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.

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.

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.

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.