
TVBEurope's Matthew Corrigan reflects on his first visit to IBC
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: September 23, 2024 Updated: September 24, 2024
TVBEurope's Matthew Corrigan reflects on his first visit to IBC
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
The aircraft stood on its wingtip and the vast expanse of Europoort filled my window as we lined up for the final approach. A reassuring thump as the undercarriage locked into place and moments later our sleek Embraer jet was rolling to a halt on the Schiphol tarmac. Just 50 minutes up and down. Smooth, fast and safe - thank you, KLM.
I knew the IBC organisers had arranged for show passes to be collected at the airport. A brisk walk to the right arrivals hall and the first job was swiftly accomplished. In the run-up to the event, a colleague had published an article in which seasoned showgoers had given their top tips to ensure the weekend ran smoothly. I hadn't read it. Instead, I asked myself the time-honoured question of fools everywhere how hard could this really be?
I'd checked my route ahead of time so there was no need to trouble Google Maps. Besides, battery preservation was a priority; my phone would be getting quite the workout this weekend. The RAI should have been a 20 minute walk from my hotel. Half an hour later I realised I was heading in the wrong direction. Although I didn't know it yet, this would prove to be a continuing theme.
Beforehand, I'd had no concept of the sheer scale of the RAI. Reality dawned as I arrived: the place is enormous. Passing through security, I began the search for my colleagues. I knew the hall to aim for but was, at that stage, unaware of what might euphemistically be termed the centre's interesting navigational challenges. Some time later, I was relieved to hear my name being called. Someone had thankfully spotted me as I was halfway around my third or fourth circumnavigation of the cavernous room.
A whirlwind of back-to-back meetings ensued as we pounded the floors, making our way through the halls to witness some of the truly incredible innovations being debuted at the show. My difficulties with the aforementioned interesting navigational challenges were exacerbated by my lack of industry insight. I was looking for company names but stands were sometimes identified by product. If, for example, the Ford Motor Company used Mustang branding for its stand, tout le monde would recognise the work of the Blue Oval. However, production technology isn't always as universally well-known. My limited product knowledge hampered me here.
Evening arrived, some kindly soul thrust a very welcome beer in my hand and I suddenly found myself aboard an open boat. The sights and sounds (and smells!) of the delightful Dutch capital unfolded as the barge sedately cruised the canals, carrying the lucky few to a charming converted tram hall. Here, I witnessed the unveiling of a truly incredible new solution, more of which will follow soon. As a newcomer to the media and entertainment business, I could not have been made to feel more welcome and wish to thank all involved profusely.
Saturday saw a return to the RAI and another maelstrom of meetings. Around the middle of the afternoon I began to relax, as I realised we were all in it together. I overheard someone say the organisers used an AI solution to allocate stand numbers. The remark may well have been tongue in cheek, but I found myself harbouring dark fantasies of finding my algorithmic adversary and exacting revenge la astronaut Dave Bowman in the movie, 2001.
AI was very much a buzzword for the show. Everywhere I went, new and exciting ways were being found to exploit the technology. At times, it felt as though its only limitations were those imposed by the imagination of the designers. AI solutions are already having a demonstrable impact across the industry. As the technology is leveraged further, its effect is clearly going to be transformative.
Collaboration was another, given a huge boost by the growing adoption of cloud-based services. I lost count of the number of vendors I met who, recognising the massive potential in cloud computing, were creating solutions designed to streamline production workflows in ways that have never before been possible. Even to a layperson, it was very obvious that the opportunities afforded by these solutions are increasing exponentially, both creatively and commercially, Coming from an IT background, I have sometimes been surprised to find the media and entertainment business has quite a conservative approach to adopting technology. IBC showed very clearly that it can face the tech-driven future with confidence.
The day drew to an end and a palpable after-the-battle air settled across the RAI. We had made it through another day. Sunday's pace was less frenetic, final meetings and promises to keep in touch.|
So how was it for a first-timer? I was lucky enough to see some frankly mindblowing technology and hear some thoroughly interesting insights into where things are going. I met some fascinating, inspirational and, above all, friendly and welcoming people. Thanks to all of them for their patience in the face of some fairly uninformed questions. My understanding is increasing - I'll get there.
Enlightening, relentless, informative, exciting and, at times, chaotic, IBC2024 was quite the experience. IBC2025? Bring it on.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
30/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/04/2026
A flexible monitoring platform designed to simplify ST 2110 operations, consolidate vendor tools, and support modern live production environments. See it at NAB...
30/04/2026
Sundance-premiering Run Amok is an expressive, unconventional take on today's teen experience, replete with musical numbers. When cinematographer Shachar ...
30/04/2026
JACKSONVILLE, AL, APRIL 29, 2026 Jacksonville State University, known as Jax State and a proud NCAA Division I member of Conference USA, has transformed its a...
30/04/2026
Transforming viewer and content data into real-time intelligence to deliver relevant streaming experiences at scale
ThinkAnalytics, the global leader in AI-pow...
30/04/2026
Sports Production, Delivery is Big Biz at NAB
Andy Marken April 29, 2026
0 Comments
Hero image source: NAB
One of the neat things about trade shows i...
30/04/2026
Scripps Research ranks third in 2026 Cure Innovation Index
April 29, 2026
LA JOLLA, CA Scripps Research ranked third in the inaugural 2026 Cure Innovation In...
29/04/2026
It was a delicate job in a 150-year-old venue laden with traditions. Begun at th...
29/04/2026
In annual event, the league gives startup companies the opportunity to prove the...
29/04/2026
Panel discussions, networking, and a facility tour will take place in the renova...
29/04/2026
(L-R) Derek Drescher, Coss Marte, and Syretta Wright have each other's backs. (Micheal Hurcomb/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)
By Veronika Lee Cla...
29/04/2026
Combines EQ and harmonic distortion
Techivation's latest release is a simple EQ designed to offer quick control over a source's overall tonal balanc...
29/04/2026
Two new MPE controllers announced
Expressive E caused quite a stir when they released the Osmose, making the sort of expression that was once reserved for p...
29/04/2026
New modules & enhanced machine-learning
The latest version of iZotope's flagship restoration suite is now available, and now offers over 50 tools design...
29/04/2026
Surgeon Dr Jasmina Kevric wins 2026 Les Murray Award
29 April, 2026
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Dr Jasmina Kevric...
29/04/2026
Some people stumble into their passion. Julissa Padilla walked straight into a film vault. For her, entertainment was never just about the movies themselves. It...
29/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/04/2026
Clear-Com has appointed Brian Grahn as Market Outreach Manager of the Americas and Ben Turnwell as Business Development Manager for EMEA live, expanding their ...
29/04/2026
nxtedition is bringing its range of consolidated production tools to MPTS 2026, with new developments spanning transcription, editing, graphics and AI-assisted ...
29/04/2026
Quortex Switch to boost the streaming experience for Telxius customers, reaching millions of viewers worldwide
Synamedia and Telxius, the leading global connec...
29/04/2026
freispace, the leading ERP-as-a-Service platform for media and entertainment production, and Projective, a leading provider of post-production collaboration tec...
29/04/2026
DHD reports strong interest in its broadcast audio product range, exhibited at the April 19th-22nd NAB Show in Las Vegas. The event attracted a claimed 58,000 a...
29/04/2026
Student Spotlight: Alan Catz The Argentine film and game composer talks about working on League of Legends, receiving Berklee's BMI Award, and the lifelon...
29/04/2026
Jay Jennings Builds the Worlds You Hear on Screen The supervising sound designer behind A Minecraft Movie, The Meg, Letters from Iwo Jima, and dozens of other...
29/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/04/2026
Voting opens at 4pm today
RT 's Today show have announced the eight finalists for their TV Home Cook competition. Amateur cooks from Cork, Dublin, Galway ...
29/04/2026
29 Apr 2026
VEON and Kyivstar Fulfill Commitment to Invest USD 1 Billion in Ukr...
29/04/2026
Rhod Gilbert, Harriet Kemsley, Kae Kurd, Sara Pascoe and Vicki Pattison to take part in brand new series on free streaming service U
London, 29th April 2026: F...
29/04/2026
Wednesday 29 April 2026
Katie Price: Nothing to Hide, a Sky Original documentar...
29/04/2026
Re-examining the case of Ellie Williams and the wider story of grooming in the town of BarrowWednesday 29 April 2026
Sky announces upcoming documentary series ...
29/04/2026
Wednesday 29 April 2026
Jennifer Garner to lead an all-star cast in new Sky Exc...
29/04/2026
Back to All News
SUPERNOVA: GENESIS Reached a Peak Audience of More Than 6.5 Mi...
29/04/2026
Students and staff from Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge ran a 4.5km course around the roads of Cambridge as part of their annual programme of sustain...
29/04/2026
The Dawn Chorus airs Sunday 3 May from midnight to 7am on RT Radio 1 and RT ly...
29/04/2026
Jin-Quan Yu elected to the National Academy of Sciences Yu is recognized for his pioneering work in synthetic organic chemistry.
April 28, 2026
LA JOLLA, CA S...
28/04/2026
The audio team for the entertainment event must blend speech intelligibility with full-range music reproduction while considering the broadcast
Last week's...