Broadcast Precision: Engineering 9 High-Density Studios for IEM Melbourne
Behind the roar of the arena crowd at Intel Extreme Masters lies the technical engine of the tournament: the Group Stage Broadcast Studios. At the MCEC, WOOHAH was tasked with delivering a high-performance lighting and rigging ecosystem for nine simultaneous broadcast environments, ensuring that every match – from the first group stage to the final qualifier – was broadcast with world-class consistency.
Managing multiple studios in a compact footprint requires a sophisticated approach to spatial engineering:
- Broadcast-Grade Lighting Solutions: We designed and deployed tailored lighting for 9 distinct studios, including eight dedicated gaming environments and a primary Broadcast MC studio. Each setup was engineered to meet the stringent standards of elite esports, providing flicker-free, colour-accurate illumination that caters to both high-speed gaming cameras and on-air talent.
- Specialised Rigging Infrastructure: Working within the unique constraints of the MCEC, we developed a modular rigging solution for all nine spaces. This allowed us to maximise overhead space in smaller footprints while ensuring total stability for sensitive broadcast equipment.
- Meeting the Tightest Deadlines: With a massive volume of gear to be deployed across nine locations, our team executed a rapid-response installation. We met a high-pressure schedule, ensuring all studios were fully operational and broadcast-ready the moment the first player connected.
- Esports-Specific Standards: Understanding the “gaming aesthetic” is core to our technical mastery. We ensured the lighting didn’t just meet broadcast requirements, but also reflected the high-energy, high-tech atmosphere that the global ESL audience expects.
Whether it’s a 15,000-seat arena or a complex of nine broadcast studios, WOOHAH provides the technical backbone that allows the world’s best players to shine.
