The forthcoming 11th edition of NEM Dubrovnik, the premier TV market in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), will be held between 10 and 13 June in the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace. With over 260 companies participating, the four-day gathering will see prominent studios and businesses from both the USA and Europe taking centre stage. The TV market will be placing significant emphasis on technology, continuing its longstanding tradition of dedicating a special segment to showcasing new technological solutions and advancements.
CEE’s favorite TV market with a view, NEM Dubrovnik 2023, started on June 5th after TV industry leaders from across the world arrived in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Until June 8th, Dubrovnik is the central location for TV industry professionals, decision makers and buyers interested in doing TV business combined with inspirational keynote speeches, informative panel discussions and presentations along with premieres and networking among participants and guests in a comfortable setting.
Bigger than ever, the jubilee edition started with a record number of participants, exhibitors, and sponsors. Networking was opened with a coffee break provided by OIV digital signal and networks.
Frank Spotnitz, CEO & Executive Producer, Big Light Productions and one of NEM’s favourite frequent visitors was introduced as the first of a record 11 keynote speakers. Mr. Spotnitz shared insights into the ever-changing TV industry: “If we are to improve European television, then it seems to me that a good first step is having core values that we know we are striving to live up to. We need more practical, concrete strategies put into place – in all territories in Europe, but especially in smaller countries where resources are in shorter supply. That lack of economic power might may be seen as a handicap, but it can also be seen as an advantage – places where change is easier to embrace because of their size.”
Presentation FAST Revenues by Maria Rua Aguete, Omdia followed at the Panel Room where data predictions for FAST business were first announced for CEE - there is less consumer interest in FAST since pay TV is still growing and traditional free-to-air viewing is also strong. In Eastern Europe FAST revenues will double in the next 5 years, reaching $42m by 2028.
The first day was also a tribute to ten exciting years of building New Europe Market (NEM). During the panel 10 Years of NEM sponsored by Mediavision, Sanja Božić-Ljubičić, CEO of Pickbox, Mediatranslations, Mediavision and NEM, gathered long-standing supporters and friends of NEM:
They reminisced over the past decade, remembering various anecdotes and unforgettable moments shared at the TV market to which they all gladly return each year. “It’s amazing to see how this event grew up. It is the only event where you can see your competitors and exchange ideas. This closed circle is so full of energy” said Pavel Stantchev and Branko Čakarmiš added: “NEM started with a small idea which turned into a world class event for our industry.
More than 1000 participants, including speakers, sponsors, buyers, media representatives and other attendees, continued to educate themselves and connect during the second day of NEM Dubrovnik 2023. Among networking events and panels, attendees were thrilled to hear valuable insights from representatives of leading companies that create the landscape of the TV industry, not only in CEE but also worldwide.
A special part of the second day’s program was dedicated to innovative tech companies that develop solutions which enhance the TV industry. Stars of the TV Tech Showcase were Comcast Technology Solutions, Broadpeak, Gcore and Sandbox Group. After their presentations, all four companies joined the panel hosted by Anette Schaefer, Big Picture.
Third day of NEM Dubrovnik 2023 again impressed all participants with rich networking opportunities, six panel sessions, two presentations as well as three keynote sessions. The Walt Disney Company raised special attention and presented the rebranding of their channels - FOX becomes STAR at A Brilliant Change Event at Lazareti at Dubrovnik Old City. BBC Studios showcased their upcoming content available for CEE, including a screening of the anticipated premiere from BBC Earth: Spy in the Ocean. Telekom Srbija has boarded CICATRIZ (Scar), the highly anticipated action thriller adaptation of Juan Gómez-Jurado’s best-selling novel of the same name.
The drama, which is being lead and produced by the Spanish production company, Plano a Plano jointly with the Mexican Dopamine, is the latest to be packaged by Asacha Media Group, the pan European production studio. In the talent side, the creators of the adaptation are Pablo Roa and Fernando Sancristóbal, writers of Netflix’s international smash hit drama, LA CASA DE PAPEL (also known as MONEY HEIST) and Verónica Marzá (TOY BOY, DIABLERO), the eight-part drama is set to go into production at the end of the year filming in Spain and Serbia.
FAST, CEE’s image and identity, end-user pricing wars, the power of AI in content creation Business, finance, content strategies and the technicalities of launching a FAST channel and capitalizing on the boom in ad-supported streaming was discussed during the panel Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About FAST but Were Afraid to Ask, led by the moderator Guy Bisson
Ampere Analysis.
Where does the CEE region stand when we talk about image and identity? This key question was raised at the panel Central Europe: What Story Do We Want to Tell the World? sponsored by TVP World with their moderator Sascha Fahrbach.
Eastern Europe’s position compared to Western Europe’s in terms of original content investments by streaming players was discussed by Viaplay Group, Sky EU Office, and Mediawan Rights. The panel Is Europe Being Territorially Divided in Terms of Global Streamers’ Investments? was moderated by Christian Grece, European Audiovisual Observatory.
How SVOD services and operators deal with inflation and the effects of an overcrowded market was discussed during the panel End-User Pricing Wars led by Maria Rua Aguete, Omdia as moderator.
Following the new Croatian Electronic Media Act which has recently entered into force, the panel Must-Offer in Croatia gathered HAKOM, A1 Croatia, Croatian Telecom, Nova TV, RTL Croatia, and Ministry of Culture and Media, Croatia to discuss the new conditions on stage and how this will affect cable operators and FTAs in Croatia.
With the support of the Eurimages Fund of the Council of Europe
