NEM preview: how CEE diversity is delivering opportunity

Sanja Božić Ljubičić, chief exec and founder of NEM Dubrovnik, discusses how the unique facets of the Central and Eastern European region are providing potential for international programme sales and opportunities to develop new relationships.

CEE is a unique and diverse region, with pay TV proving remarkably resilient in many countries. Where do you see the greatest opportunity for int’l companies looking to expand operations?

CEE is a highly diverse region, but that diversity is exactly where the biggest opportunity lies. While some markets are already heavily streaming-driven, pay TV remains a core distribution backbone across much of the region. For international companies, the greatest opportunity is therefore not in replacing existing habits, but in building on them, through hybrid models, strong partnerships with local pay TV and telecom operators, deep localisation, and flexible monetisation strategies that combine subscription, advertising, and aggregation.

What will the three main topics of conversation be at NEM Dubrovnik this year?

At NEM Dubrovnik this year, the conversation naturally comes down to three key themes. The first is industry transformation and emerging trends, from new broadcaster–streamer partnerships and differences in content investment across CEE and Western Europe, to accelerating consolidation and mega-mergers that are reshaping competition, regulation, and overall market dynamics.

The second is new paths in content distribution and monetisation, with hybrid models becoming standard as OTT grows alongside the continued role of satellite, the increasing role of platforms like YouTube in broadcaster ecosystems, and AI reshaping content discovery from search to recommendation. At the same time, the industry is still testing the real potential of formats like microdramas and tackling challenges such as piracy.

The third is leadership and the human perspective in a changing industry, focusing on how decisions are made under constant pressure, how leaders balance data and intuition, and how long-term partnerships built on trust and collaboration are becoming more important than ever.

What have been the biggest industry changes in the region over the past 12 months?

Over the past 12 months, the CEE media industry has clearly shifted from growth-driven expansion to a stronger focus on profitability and efficiency, with margins and sustainable models now taking priority over subscriber growth alone.

We’re also seeing deeper convergence and more flexible partnerships between broadcasters, telcos, pay TV operators, and global streaming platforms, reflecting a more hybrid ecosystem. At the same time, distribution and content discovery have moved back to the centre of strategy, with aggregation, recommendation, and platforms like YouTube playing a growing role.

Finally, local content has strengthened its position as a key differentiator and a core driver of audience engagement across the region.

How is NEM Dubrovnik reflecting these changes? 

NEM Dubrovnik is very much mirroring these shifts in both its agenda and format. The programme clearly reflects the industry’s focus on profitability, hybrid models, and changing business dynamics, with panels dedicated to distribution strategies, monetisation, and evolving broadcaster–streamer–telco relationships. At the same time, it puts strong emphasis on real-world transformation topics, from consolidation and mega-mergers to AI-driven discovery and new content formats, rather than treating trends in isolation. Finally, there is a clear focus on practical, cross-market dialogue, bringing together different parts of the ecosystem to discuss not just where the industry is going, but how these changes are being implemented in practice across regions like CEE.

What are you most looking forward to at NEM this year?

What I’m most looking forward to at NEM this year is seeing how much the event has grown and evolved. Looking back at where we started and remembering the early days with the team, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how far we’ve come. Every edition has been shaped by the passion, dedication, and belief of so many people who helped bring the vision to life. This year, I’m excited to feel that growth firsthand—not just in the size of the event, but in the energy of the community, the quality of the conversations, and the new ideas, opportunities, and collaborations that emerge. Seeing NEM continue to expand its impact while staying true to its purpose is what inspires me most.

NEM Dubrovnik takes place 8-11 June 2026.