Artificial crowd noise available to UK viewers after use in Bundesliga

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments619

Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich
Viewers watching Bundesliga matches could hear artificial crowd noise on Saturday

When the Premier League returns on 17 June, television viewers will have the option to switch on artificial crowd noise during matches.

With games being played behind closed doors because of coronavirus, clubs, leagues and broadcasters are seeking the best way to showcase matches and mitigate the loss of spectators from stadiums.

In South Korea's K League, crowd sounds were played over stadium loudspeakers when its season started last month.

On Saturday UK viewers of BT Sport's Bundesliga coverage could hear artificial crowd noise as they watched matches featuring Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

View more on twitter
View more on twitter

How it worksexternal-link is quite clever - an "audio carpet" for the basic noise is taken from the previous meeting and it is mixed with the real noise of the game. Reaction samples for scenarios such as penalties, fouls and decisions from VAR are created and "inserted" by a watching producer.

Sky Sports and BT Sport will both use the artificial crowd noise when the Premier League returns, with viewers also being given the option of switching it off.

But does it improve the viewing experience?

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

619 comments

  • Comment posted by Johnny_Lee, at 19:00 6 Jun 2020

    If this is being run by the same people that run VAR, I expect complete silence during goal celebrations, huge spontaneous cheers during half time and chants of "Come On You Reds" during Leicester vs Norwich

  • Comment posted by Nom de plume, at 18:57 6 Jun 2020

    If it's an option fine. If you don't like it, turn it off

  • Comment posted by Shaun, at 19:59 6 Jun 2020

    Might as well let the fans in after all what difference does it make ... there are currently thousands of morons marching toe to toe all over the country spreading Covid-19 ... that’s ok sure, but you have a barbecue and the police will soon make arrests and fine people ... Covid-19 does not discriminate ... marches, football match, barbecues ... a it’s all the same to the virus

  • Comment posted by Shaun, at 19:46 6 Jun 2020

    So it’s ok for thousands to march toe to toe for hours but not for thousands to sit and watch a football match for 90 mins ... hmm the logic of the new millennium

  • Comment posted by U17885687, at 18:59 6 Jun 2020

    Fantastic news for Man City. It will sound like there are 55000 fans there every week!
    Might put their players of a bit tho, they’re not used to such noise at home.

  • Comment posted by Ska Rebel, at 19:28 6 Jun 2020

    The fake noise may be bolstered by some gathering outside. And why not? If it's perfectly acceptable to the authorities to let people gather in large numbers for protests, why treat football fans differently? I bet they do though....

  • Comment posted by U18054398, at 20:26 6 Jun 2020

    53. . Posted byUTCon
    36 minutes ago

    "According to scientists they fear a second wave...that will wreck this season for good."

    Scenes like we have seen today with 1000's of people being grouped together on the streets of Manchester and London as well as many other places it is probably becoming increasingly likely that a large spike or 2nd wave will occur.

  • Comment posted by UEFA Badge of Honour, at 19:25 6 Jun 2020

    It will seem a bit odd watching a City game at the Etihad with crowd noise. Wonder if they will opt for it when everybody else gets their fans back.

  • Comment posted by U18110982, at 19:30 6 Jun 2020

    It actually works great. I just watched Dortmund at home. Couldn't tell the difference from a real crowd to artificial in terms of noise.

    Not sure what noise they will play in the Emptyhad though considering with fans it's like a library 🤔

  • Comment posted by mark, at 21:34 6 Jun 2020

    Seriously if we can have 1000's of 'protesters' on the streets round the country, why can't we have fans in stadiums. As for artificial noise, yes good idea. The empty stadiums with just the players shouting is like just watching football in the park.

  • Comment posted by footie fan, at 19:30 6 Jun 2020

    Am sure City fans will opt for the noise - it will be a novel experience for it to seem like there is an atmosphere at the Emptyhad.

  • Comment posted by Owly, at 19:23 6 Jun 2020

    Will you be able to select which chants you want to hear? I like the one about John Terry's mum.

  • Comment posted by govy, at 20:10 6 Jun 2020

    What will happen if crowds such as those protesting over the last few days turn up at matches ? There can’t be one rule for them and another for people supporting there team surely

  • Comment posted by Archie McDinglepoop, at 22:58 6 Jun 2020

    If I scored I would run over to the empty away section and put my hand to my ear 👂🖐

  • Comment posted by bhbhbh, at 21:37 6 Jun 2020

    There should be a Benny Hill option.

  • Comment posted by marcus j, at 06:50 7 Jun 2020

    Whats the point of any of it. All the protesters and rioters across the world are gunna keep this virus going and inevitably kill us all so thanks to them, it dont matter really

  • Comment posted by GC, at 19:28 6 Jun 2020

    Hope a rogue producer inserts that footage of Big Sam slouching and mouthing 'For F's Sake' when the home team goes 0-3 down!

  • Comment posted by WarleyBear , at 10:06 7 Jun 2020

    After the shocking events in London yesterday, they might as well let the fans in...

  • Comment posted by Grecian, at 06:44 7 Jun 2020

    Surely if tens of thousands can march in complete contempt of social distancing then crowds can return to sport ?

  • Comment posted by the news, at 13:36 7 Jun 2020

    Tyrone Mings ‘whinging’ about the resumption of the Premier League. Then thinks it’s okay to attend the “only black life matter rally” funny hey!!

Top Stories

Also in Sport

Elsewhere on the BBC