Premier League fake crowd noise – do you love it or hate it?
Premier League fake crowd noise has divided the nation once again – but where do you stand on the issue following the opening fixtures?
You thought we were all going to be talking about the actual football when once the Premier League got back underway, didn't you? You were wrong.
Technology reigned supreme on the opening night of top flight action as goal-line technology failed to return from holiday in time to rule Sheffield United's goal as a goal – despite Aston Villa keeper Orjan Nyland carrying the ball over the line, through the Holte End and halfway across the Midlands.
But arguably the biggest source of discussion has revolved around the artificial crowd noise sourced in by Sky Sports during their coverage.
Fans watching both Sheffield United v Aston Villa and Manchester City v Arsenal had the option to flick between two Sky Sports channels (Main Event and Premier League) with fake crowd noises and chants on one side, and natural in-stadium audio on the other.
So, we have a question. Fake crowd noise – yay or nay?
Sky Sports have partnered with EA Sports – creators of the FIFA game franchise – to use their wealth of crowd noises to bring an atmosphere to otherwise largely silent games.
Their innovative system is used to raise the noise levels during attacking moments, react to incidents including bad tackles, shots that fly just wide, and of course the actual goals.
As the season continues, it will be interesting to see how other broadcasters approach artificial sounds and whether public opinion sways in one direction or the other.
Have your say. Vote above to share your opinion on fake crowd noise and whether you'll keep going with it, or switch to the more natural shouts and hollers of players on the field.
Check out our guide for a full round up of Premier League fixtures on TV in the coming weeks.
Authors
Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.