26th June 2026: The DEGI Roadshow 2026 has reached a major milestone following a highly successful European programme spanning Stockholm, Berlin, London, Paris and Rome, bringing together industry leaders from across the film, television, technology, distribution, research and entertainment sectors to explore the future of screen entertainment.
Alongside record attendance, the strongest sponsorship programme in Roadshow to date and the introduction of new strategic partnerships, the series also highlighted ten key themes shaping the future of the screen entertainment sector – from the continued strength of transactional and premium entertainment to the growing importance of local content, collaboration and responsible innovation. The 2026 event programme illustrates the contribution of transactional Home Entertainment and the optimism for its continued growth trajectory.
The series will continue later this year with its final stop in Munich on 20th October.
DEGI Roadshow 2026 by the numbers:
- 500 attendees
- 152 companies represented
- 90 speakers and panellists
- 5 European markets visited
- 15 industry sponsors and partners
- Strongest sponsorship programme to date
The 2026 programme represented DEGI’s largest and most ambitious European roadshow to date, with strong attendance, high levels of engagement and overwhelmingly positive feedback from delegates across every market. London marked a significant milestone for the programme, delivering the strongest sponsorship line-up in the history of the DEGI Roadshow. The unprecedented level of industry support demonstrated both the growing importance of the programme and the appetite for collaborative, cross-sector discussion across the entertainment ecosystem.
A major development for 2026 was the introduction of EIT Culture & Creativity as both a sponsor and strategic partner. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to innovation, skills development and cross-sector collaboration, and signals an exciting new chapter for the Roadshow as it continues to bring together voices from across the screen entertainment value chain.
The 2026 DEGI Roadshow was proudly supported by BBFC, Crowd DNA, EIT Culture & Creativity, GfK, Google, JustWatch, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Silk Factory, Watts Sustainability and WLP Vision, alongside host venue partners including the Swedish Film Institute, JustWatch, Odeon Luxe West End, Élysées Biarritz, and Casa del Cinema.
The programme was also delivered in collaboration with leading industry associations across Europe, including the Digital Entertainment Group Nordic (DEGN) in Sweden, AllScreens in Germany, the Syndicat de l’Édition Vidéo Numérique (SEVN) in France, the British Association for Screen Entertainment (BASE) in London and UniVideo in Italy. These partnerships played a vital role in ensuring each event reflected the priorities, opportunities and challenges of its local market, while contributing to a broader international conversation about the future of screen entertainment.
Together, the support of sponsors, partners and hosts enabled the Roadshow to bring together voices from across the value chain and facilitate meaningful conversations in every market.
One of the highlights of the 2026 programme was the participation of Jill Allen, Senior Vice President, Sony Pictures Entertainment, California, who joined Liz Bales for highly engaging fireside conversations in both London and Paris. Drawing on her extensive international leadership experience, Jill shared valuable perspectives on industry transformation, innovation, leadership and the opportunities facing the global entertainment sector.
Reflecting on her participation, Jill said:
“I was delighted to participate in the DEGI roadshows and join colleagues, partners, and industry leaders for conversations about the future of home entertainment. What impressed me most was the level of engagement across DEGI roadshow events and the fresh perspectives shared on the opportunities and challenges shaping our industry. The discussions reinforced my confidence in the continued strength of home entertainment and the bright future ahead as our industry adapts, innovates, and evolves.”
Liz Bales, Chief Executive of DEGI and BASE, said:
“This year’s Roadshow has exceeded all expectations. Across every market we saw exceptional engagement, thoughtful discussion and a genuine willingness from organisations across the industry to collaborate on the opportunities and challenges ahead.
What stood out most was the breadth of voices involved, from studios, streamers and distributors to technology companies, trade associations, researchers and creative leaders. The strength of our sponsorship programme, the introduction of EIT Culture & Creativity as a strategic partner and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from delegates demonstrate just how valuable these conversations have become.
The scale of the series is illustrative of the increasing relevance and contribution of Home Entertainment and specifically the transactional part of the business. Transactional entertainment has emerged as a powerful revenue driver, bridging and complementing theatrical distribution and streaming. Offering consumers the widest title selection and through premium releasing, consistently the freshest and most exclusive titles straight from cinema. In each of the Roadshow territories and beyond the trends across audience engagement and spend are strong and strengthening.
As we look ahead to Munich and beyond, we’re incredibly grateful to our speakers, sponsors, partners and attendees for helping make the 2026 programme our most ambitious and impactful yet.”
Ten Signals Shaping the Future of Screen Entertainment
Drawing on presentations, panel discussions, audience feedback and insights shared across Stockholm, Berlin, London, Paris and Rome, ten key themes consistently emerged throughout the Roadshow programme:
1. Transactional entertainment continues to strengthen
Transactional formats are outperforming expectations, with growing buyer numbers reinforcing their role as an increasingly important part of the screen entertainment economy.
2. Premium drives growth
Premium home entertainment continues to attract audiences seeking early access to new releases and is helping expand engagement beyond the theatrical window.
3. Cinema remains resilient
Box office performance is strengthening across markets, supported by a healthy release slate and strong audience demand, while attracting the next generation remains a key industry priority.
4. Premium physical continues to find its audience
Physical entertainment remains highly relevant, with collector editions and premium formats resonating strongly with loyal and engaged consumers.
5. Catalogue underpins the market
Catalogue content continues to provide stability, consistency and long-term value, helping audiences rediscover both classics and favourites.
6. Local content creates momentum
Local productions continue to drive audience engagement and commercial performance, while also strengthening cultural relevance and diversity within the market.
7. Communities drive discovery
Audience behaviour is increasingly shaped by fandoms, creators, recommendations and niche interests, creating new pathways for content discovery and engagement.
8. Tackling piracy requires collective action
Illegal IPTV remains a significant challenge across markets, reinforcing the need for industry collaboration, effective regulation and governmental leadership.
9. AI works best when human-led
Discussions throughout the series focused on practical implementation, responsible adoption and ensuring human judgement remains at the centre of decision-making.
10. Collaboration remains the industry’s greatest strength
Across every market, delegates consistently highlighted the value of coming together to share insight, address common challenges and identify future opportunities.
The roadshow welcomed contributions from major studios, streamers, distributors, exhibitors, technology providers, researchers, sustainability leaders and creative innovators, creating a unique platform for sharing insight, challenging assumptions and identifying opportunities for growth.
As the industry continues to navigate rapid change, the conversations taking place across Stockholm, Berlin, London, Paris and Rome highlighted a clear and consistent theme: the future of screen entertainment will be shaped through collaboration, innovation and a willingness to work across traditional boundaries.
The ten themes identified throughout the programme reflect both the strength of today’s market and the opportunities emerging across the wider screen entertainment ecosystem.
The DEGI Roadshow will make its final stop of 2026 in Munich on 20th October before returning in 2027, building on the momentum generated throughout the year and continuing its mission to connect, inform and inspire the international entertainment community.
To learn more about BASE and DEGI events or sponsorship opportunities, please contact: [email protected]
For more information about the 2026 Roadshow series, and to see image galleries from all events, please visit our website.
About the Digital Entertainment Group International
DEGI: The Digital Entertainment Group International (DEGI) is an international trade body driving digital consumption through a global vision. The sister organisation to US-based DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, DEGI offers a forum for its members to discuss opportunities and challenges for emerging digital technologies, the supply chain, and promoting both new and established formats. DEGI commissions research and monitors trends to help keep its members informed in a rapidly evolving landscape.
