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It is with genuine sadness that this news is announced. When something comes to an end—even temporarily—it always represents a loss. Over the years, NATPE Budapest had become a familiar and meaningful late-June appointment, marking the conclusion of a cycle: a journey made up of meetings, pitches, panels, and encounters that traditionally wrapped up the first half of the year, just before the summer break and the pause that follows the intense succession of international markets and festivals.

Budapest held a very specific role in the global TV calendar. It was the market dedicated to Central and Eastern Europe, offering a solid and focused market floor, as well as the opportunity to spend a few days in the early summer light of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Late June in Budapest meant productive conversations by day and a sense of closure by night—an end-of-season rhythm that many industry professionals had come to appreciate.

Against this backdrop, NATPE has officially confirmed that it will not proceed with NATPE Budapest in 2026. According to the announcement released on December 18, 2025, from Toronto, the decision reflects a strategic shift, with the organization concentrating its efforts on the continued development of its flagship North American event, NATPE Global in Miami.

Russell Goldstein, CEO of Brunico, explained that the pause of NATPE Budapest is indicative of broader changes affecting the global entertainment industry. With the continued proliferation of industry markets across Europe, NATPE has chosen to refocus on North America, where it believes it can “create scale” and strengthen its core offering.

NATPE Executive Director Claire Macdonald also acknowledged the importance of the Budapest edition and the relationships built over the past three years. She expressed deep appreciation for the support of the Central and Eastern European community, highlighting the quality of the programs developed in collaboration with regional and international partners. Macdonald further extended her gratitude to the advisory board members, whose commitment and passion for the region played a key role in shaping the market.

The organization has been careful to describe this decision as a pause rather than a definitive conclusion. Whether NATPE Budapest will return in the future remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the NATPE brand continues to be a significant and recognizable player in the international television ecosystem.

Looking ahead, NATPE Global will take place in Miami from February 4 to 6, 2026, under the theme Convergence. The event aims to bring together global media leaders and the next generation of collaborators—from broadcasters and streamers to brands and creators—to explore new partnership models across the evolving broadcast and streaming landscape.

For now, the pause of NATPE Budapest feels like the closing of a chapter. Even if temporary, it marks the end of a rhythm and a ritual that had found its place in the industry calendar. As with many things in today’s rapidly shifting audiovisual market, only time will tell whether this is a brief intermission or a more lasting transformation.