NEM DUBROVNIK 2026: DAY 1
The biggest edition in the event’s history opened with senior executives exploring the future of content, collaboration, and sustainable partnerships, alongside showcases by Globo and Global Agency and the opening of the new Adriatic Market Area
Dubrovnik, June 9 – NEM Dubrovnik 2026 officially kicked off at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, gathering TV industry professionals, distributors, content creators and executives from across Central and Eastern Europe and beyond for another edition of the leading TV market in the CEE region.
One of the highlights of Day 1 was the opening of the Adriatic Area, NEM Dubrovnik’s newest networking space, where participants enjoyed drinks, finger food and live music overlooking the Adriatic surroundings. Coffee Time by OIV Digital Signals and Networks offered a morning networking gathering.
The agenda opened with NEM Kickoff | Three Media Trends, powered by the European Audiovisual Observatory, highlighting key shifts in the European audiovisual industry. The session covered new broadcaster–streamer partnerships (including Netflix–TF1, Disney+–ZDF Studios, Amazon–France Télévisions and RTL Deutschland), investment in European content across Western Europe and CEE amid a slowdown in spending, and ongoing industry consolidation driven by major mergers and acquisitions. The panel featured Christian Grece (European Audiovisual Observatory), Grégoire Polad (ACT), Sanja Božić-Ljubičić (Pickbox, Mediatranslations, Mediavision and NEM), and Guy Bisson (Ampere Analysis). Grégoire Polad explained the importance of NEM Dubrovnik: “Great pleasure to be back at NEM with industry heavy hitters from across the region to discuss the key trends impacting Media in Europe. NEM continues to be the place to be to have the meetings that count with the people that matter.”
The afternoon continued with showcases from leading international companies. Global Agency presented One Night Only, adapted from 1001 Nights. The story follows Areti, a mother in crisis who, desperate to save her son, accepts a shocking offer from her powerful boss: one night together in exchange for the money she needs. Their deal quickly turns into a dangerous mix of passion, guilt, and secrets. Globo held a showcase Building Audiences Through Content Strategy: Telenovelas, Series & Formats, presented by Rodrigo Nascimento. The session highlighted Globo’s strategy for growing global audiences through telenovelas, scripted series, and formats, with an emphasis on strong storytelling and international appeal, alongside insights from Karen Pinho on Globo’s global content distribution.
Another key discussion of the day was the panel What Makes a Long-Term Buyer-Seller Relationship Work? sponsored by Globo and moderated by BBC News presenter Kasia Madera. Industry leaders Igor Draguzet (CME), Rahela Štefanović (HRT), Rodrigo Nascimento (Globo), Jan Maxa (FTV Prima), and Slawomir Cyra (Cyfrowy Polsat S.A.) discussed how strong buyer-seller relationships go beyond transactions, being built on trust, transparency, and shared long-term value, as well as how partnerships evolve in an increasingly competitive and data-driven market.
„The way we do deals has changed a lot over the past 10 years. The way we structure deals, and the types of rights and windows we need in order to exploit content, have also evolved significantly. I think it’s important that everyone in the ecosystem acknowledges this, so that digital rights are not treated as a premium add-on. They are now an integral part of the basic package of rights we’re discussing. That’s the part that has changed.“ – explained Igor Draguzet, Chief Content Officer at CME.
Rodrigo Nascimento, Head of International Business Hub, EMEA at Globo, discussed what it takes to build a strong and successful partnership: „Every new discussion is an opportunity to build a long-term partnership. This is the mindset we adopt. First, we never approach a discussion as a purely transactional, one-time deal. Second, we strive to understand the challenges and opportunities our partners face and identify ways in which we can support them. We are truly committed to active listening. Third, we value shared experiences and believe they are essential to building strong relationships.“
The first day agenda concluded with Fremantle’s showcase and celebration drinks event, presenting upcoming drama, documentary and format highlights for 2026.
In the evening, participants gathered at Port 22 in Dubrovnik Old City for the official Welcome Drink sponsored by Broadpeak, Globo, Fremantle International and ITV Studios, enjoying networking, music and Dubrovnik’s unique atmosphere late into the night.
NEM Dubrovnik 2026 continues until June 11th with additional panels, showcases, screenings and networking events bringing together key players from the international TV industry.
This B2B event is a must for the CEE region
NEM Dubrovnik is an annual B2B event focusing on the growth of the TV industry in CEE countries. Every year, the participants include representatives from important FTA and pay-TV channels, tech companies, streaming services and telecom and other operators that offer TV-viewing options, as well as famous actors, producers, film directors, writers and other important audio-visual professionals.
Over the years, more than 300 leading global and local companies have had their representatives at NEM Dubrovnik, including Eutelsat, Deutsche Telecom, A1 Group, United Group, Irdeto, Global Agency and Warner Bros. Discovery, as well as AMC Networks International, BBC Studios, Paramount, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, Fremantle International, Pickbox, Amazon MGM Studios, ITV Studios, Viasat World, Telecom Serbia, Prva TV, Beta Film, Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT), Nova TV, RTL Croatia, RTL Hungary and many other companies.
New Europe Market
New Europe Market (NEM) is a common denominator for a series of media events organised by Mediavision, a Croatian marketing and TV industry agency. NEM has traditionally been organised in Dubrovnik and a special NEM Zagreb event focusing on creating television content has been organised in Zagreb since 2019. This special three-day event at the Esplanade Hotel Zagreb includes a number of workshops for creating television and cinema content, as well as the NEM Awards.