Markets

The 2026 editions of NATPE Global and Realscreen Summit are set to return to Miami from February 2 to 6, bringing together key players from across the content industry under one roof at the InterContinental Hotel. This year’s theme — Convergence — perfectly captures the pulse of a marketplace where digital creators and traditional media leaders are no longer distant cousins, but collaborators in a shared storytelling future.

At the heart of the conversation are two keynote speakers who embody this industry evolution: Dhar Mann, founder of one of the world’s most-watched digital storytelling platforms, and Sean Cohan, President of Canadian giant Bell Media. Their presence underscores the transformative energy shaping television, streaming, and creator-driven content today. With billions of views across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, Dhar Mann Studios has redefined digital storytelling. Known for its emotionally charged, socially conscious mini-dramas, the studio operates with the precision of a modern media powerhouse — from high-volume production to real-time analytics and global distribution. What sets Dhar Mann apart is not just the scale, but the message. His content, grounded in empathy, resilience, and life lessons, resonates with an increasingly values-driven audience. As the creator economy continues to grow — surpassing $250 billion globally — Mann stands as a symbol of how creators are no longer waiting for a seat at the table; they’re building their own. He will be joined in Miami by Sean Atkins, CEO of Dhar Mann Studios and former President of MTV, who brings decades of experience in bridging traditional media and digital platforms.
On the other end of the spectrum, Sean Cohan is spearheading a bold reinvention at Bell Media, one of North America’s most influential media conglomerates. Overseeing a portfolio that includes streaming service Crave, broadcast leader CTV, French-language network Noovo, sports channels TSN and RDS, and audio streamer iHeartRadio Canada, Cohan is redefining what it means to be a legacy media brand in a competitive, fragmented landscape.
Through strategic partnerships — including with Prime Video — and a renewed focus on nationally relevant content, Cohan is optimizing Bell Media’s vast infrastructure to not only survive but thrive in the face of global disruption. His keynote promises to offer a high-level view of innovation within established systems, a timely counterpart to Mann’s creator-driven model.

“This year’s keynotes speak to the confluence of what was once seen as two viewing solitudes — social platforms and mainstream media,” said Mary Maddever, Executive Content Director of NATPE and EVP of Realscreen. “The future lies in crossing these streams and learning from one another.”

Building on a record-setting 2025 edition, the 2026 event expands its programming to reflect the evolving ecosystem:
A newly launched Scripted Content track at NATPE Global will offer deeper insights into fiction, drama, and format trends.
Enhanced Creator & Brand programming will facilitate direct dialogue between digital creators, agencies, and legacy media players.
The return of NATPE Honors will celebrate visionaries who are reshaping global content and distribution.
“We’re raising the bar once again,” said Claire Macdonald, SVP and Executive Director of NATPE Global. “With visionaries like Dhar and Sean, we’re spotlighting both the power of the creator economy and the enduring value of strategic reinvention.”

For the second year, Realscreen Summit (Feb. 2–4) and NATPE Global (Feb. 4–6) will run as co-located but distinct events, offering tailored tracks for both the unscripted and scripted sectors. At the center of the week is Convergence Day, a dynamic mid-week platform uniting both communities in one collaborative marketplace — ideal for buyers, sellers, producers, and innovators navigating an increasingly interconnected industry.