Project Restart: Sky and BT Sport unconvinced by fake crowd noise for TV coverage of Premier League restart

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Premier League broadcasters are unlikely to turn to artificial crowd noise to add atmosphere to behind-closed-doors games once the season resumes.

The return of the Bundesliga last weekend showcased a number of positives for Premier League clubs and broadcasters but also highlighted issues in terms of engaging fans without an atmosphere within the stadium.

Sky Sports and BT Sport are understood to have explored the use of artificial crowd noise being pumped into stadiums but found a number of hurdles in implementing the sound in a convincing way, with the noise unlikely to match what is happening on the pitch.

A Premier League working group has been set up to address the fears of the broadcasters, who could seek a rebate of up to £350million this season.

The likes of Sky and BT are being encouraged to be innovative, with moves such as cameras in changing rooms or half time interviews, but keep to the authenticity of live matches.

Speaking at an online Leaders conference, Marie Donoghue, the vice president of global sports video at Amazon, who could get up to three extra games to show this season, said broadcasters must not waste this opportunity to innovate.

She said: "I think it is essential. I think this is an opportunity, I think broadcast hasn't changed in decades in some instances.

"We have an obligation to innovate and we can't waste this opportunity."

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