NEM Dubrovnik 2026 officially opens today in Dubrovnik, marking the start of the largest edition of the event to date. Running from June 8 to 11, the CEE-focused TV and media market brings together more than 300 companies, over 200 buyers from across Central and Eastern Europe, and more than 150 exhibitors across three dedicated market areas: Sunset, Mare, and the newly introduced Adriatic Area. Overall participation is up by around 50% year-on-year, reflecting the event’s continued expansion and growing relevance on the international television business calendar.

The opening day begins with full-scale networking activity across the venue at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, where registration and badge pickup runs throughout the day, alongside continuous indoor and outdoor meetings across the market floors. Informal networking also starts early with coffee sessions hosted by OIV Digital Signals and Networks at the Mare Terrace, setting the tone for a day heavily focused on deal-making and relationship building. The expansion of physical meeting spaces is further reinforced by the new Adriatic Area, designed as a sea-view, climate-controlled networking pavilion aimed at increasing B2B capacity after both the Sunset and Mare Areas reached full occupancy.

A key highlight of the afternoon is the official welcome session in the Adriatic Area, followed by the opening industry discussion, “NEM Kickoff | Three Media Trends Powered by European Audiovisual Observatory.” The session brings together senior industry voices including Grégoire Polad from ACT, Sanja Božić-Ljubičić representing Pickbox and NEM, and analyst Guy Bisson of Ampere Analysis, with moderation by Christian Grece of the European Audiovisual Observatory. The discussion focuses on three defining themes shaping the sector: new partnership models between broadcasters and global streamers, investment dynamics in original European content with a focus on CEE versus Western Europe, and the ongoing consolidation reshaping the regional media landscape.

The program continues with a series of high-profile showcases in the main panel room. Global Agency presents its adaptation of the internationally successful drama 1001 Nights, followed by a content strategy showcase from Globo, featuring Rodrigo Nascimento and Karen Pinho, focusing on telenovelas, series and format distribution strategies across global markets. These sessions lead into one of the day’s central industry debates: “What Makes a Long-Term Buyer-Seller Relationship Work?”, sponsored by Globo and moderated by Kasia Madera of BBC News. The panel brings together key decision-makers from major broadcasters and platforms including CME, Cyfrowy Polsat, FTV Prima, and Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT), highlighting the strategic importance of long-term content partnerships in an increasingly competitive acquisition environment.

Later in the evening, Fremantle presents its 2026 slate of drama, documentary and format highlights in a showcase followed by networking drinks. The presentation is introduced by Anahita Kheder, EVP EMEA Formats at Fremantle, and features senior distribution executives covering Central and Eastern Europe and CIS territories, underscoring the company’s continued strong positioning in the region.

Beyond the formal program, NEM Dubrovnik’s opening day will conclude with a large-scale welcome drink reception at Port 22 in Dubrovnik’s Old City. Sponsored by industry players including Broadpeak, Globo, Fremantle International and ITV Studios, the event is designed to bring together delegates across broadcasters, platforms, distributors and production companies in a more informal setting. Dedicated shuttle buses connect the main venue at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace with the city center throughout the evening, reinforcing the event’s dual structure between structured market activity and high-volume networking.

A defining feature of this year’s edition is the scale and seniority of attending buyers. The 2026 list includes major international and regional players such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global Content Distribution, ZDF Studios, AMC Networks International, Antenna Entertainment, United Group, Deutsche Telekom AG, TVN Warner Bros. Discovery, MEGOGO, and many others. The presence of senior executives across content acquisition, programming and distribution reinforces NEM Dubrovnik’s role as a central CEE marketplace where global and regional strategies intersect.

With expanded infrastructure, record participation and a strengthened program structure, NEM Dubrovnik 2026 positions itself not only as a regional industry gathering but as a key international gateway into the CEE media ecosystem.