NRL 2020 | Artificial crowd noise divides NRL fans after Eels win over Broncos

Waqa Blake and Mitchell Moses of the Eels celebrate a try during the round three NRL match. Photo / Getty Images.

In a world with no fans in the stands, broadcasters are trying anything that may work.

After a round of NRL with no fans earlier in the season, both Fox League and Channel 9 decided to broadcast crowd noises to give the game a bit of atmosphere in lounge rooms.

Fox Sports' head of television Steve Crawley said it would add more for fans.

"The stars of the game are the players, not the audio effects. But having them makes for a better experience," Crawley said.

"What we add will be subtle so we can still hear big hits and players communicating.

"Our audio guys have developed a world-class solution to a unique problem and we think it will be adopted elsewhere during this time."

With exclusive rights on the Saturday games, Fox Sports will simulcast the games across two channels, one with the artificial sound and one without.

The artificial sound has been used in German football's Bundesliga since it's returned with many believing it helps the broadcast.

In the US, NFL play-by play announcer Joe Buck told a SiriusXM show that it was "pretty much a done deal" for the sport.

"I think FOX and these networks have to put crowd noise under us to make it as normal a viewing experience at home," Buck said to Cohen. "I think they'll do it. In fact, I know they'll do it."

Although not on Channel 9, Phil Gould praised the artificial sound.

I must say that the crowd noise in the background created by @Channel9 is brilliant. It's been expertly used during the match. After a while it will just sound like a real crowd. Great atmosphere," he wrote.

While it didn't go as far as the South Korean baseball with sex dolls in seats, fans certainly had a strong reaction to the move, with plenty landing on both sides of the initiative.

Close up camera angles...

Canned crowd noise....

THIS WORKS!!!

Sport is officially BACKKKKK!!#ProjectApolloLaunch #rugbaleeeeeg #NRL

— Catherine Murphy (@CathMurphySport) May 28, 2020

Loving watching the nrl on @FOXNRL with the fake crowd noise. Geeze good game of footy to.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) May 28, 2020

Fake crowd noise is great! We have to try things during this weird time. Too many people hate things just for the sake of hating. How exhausting. Share the love ❤️

— Jarrod Walsh (@jarrodwalsh) May 28, 2020

The virtual crowd noise in the NRL (on Sky Sports now) is a little weird but it does make a difference. Definitely adds to the viewing experience. Needs must and I'd imagine the Premier League are taking note - although it's easier with a more structured sport like rugby league.

— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) May 28, 2020

Damn this is a quick game, great flow and the virtual crowd noise adds value to the viewing experience, much better than silence @FOXNRLLive #NRLBroncosEels

— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) May 28, 2020

While it mostly fell on the pro side, the fake noise has been controversial across the world.

An informal poll reported by Forbes from Awful Announcingon the Bundesliga crowd noises had 1,500 Twitter users split 37 per cent like it, 33 per cent hate it and 30 per cent undecided.

There were some strong opinions on the NRL version.

I love sport because it’s real. The skills. The contest. The genuine measure of one person’s (or team’s) skills against another.

Fake crowd noise is the antithesis of this. It’s not real. It’s bullshit.

Get rid of it.

— Chris Coleman (@CJCau) May 28, 2020

Bloody hell. Fake crowd noise is awful. Don’t need it, the sound of the game is enough. @abcgrandstand #NRLBroncosEels

— David Mark (@davymark1) May 28, 2020

Virtual crowd noise is a waste. Why not have an audiobook of someone reading War and Peace over the game?

— James Colley (@JamColley) May 28, 2020

The NRL are also trying to come up with ideas with the league's head of marketing Peter Jarman confirming cardboard fans would be used in the stands.

"Clubs have been really supportive, they're really behind this," Peter Jarman said.

"I think it will be a great thing for fans and players."

After 67 days sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parramatta extended their unbeaten start to the NRL season with a convincing win over Brisbane.

The Eels made it three wins from three in 2020 as they defeated the Broncos 34-6 in a six tries to one romp at Suncorp Stadium.

The result completed a successful return to action for the NRL, suspended since March 22 due to the coronavirus crisis.

The Eels who impressed as they went to 3-0 for the first time since 1993, dominated territory, particularly in the second half, with nine players picking up over 100 running metres.