Pat McAfee and A.J. Hawk advocate for increased crowd noise on Prime Video’s ‘Thursday Night Football’

Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of Thursday Night Football has frequently been criticized for its low stadium noise levels, drowning out the energy of the crowd. During Week 2, viewers were particularly vocal about this issue as fans at Lambeau Field passionately supported the Green Bay Packers during a crucial conference victory. Even sports personalities like Pat McAfee and A.J. Hawk discussed the issue on The Pat McAfee Show.

Hawk pointed out that the crowd mics used by Amazon are not as loud as they should be, preventing viewers from fully experiencing the electrifying atmosphere of the stadium. McAfee agreed, highlighting the negative feedback on social media that suggested Amazon’s broadcasts were missing the mark. This is not a new problem either; McAfee noted that Amazon has struggled with capturing the true intensity of stadium sounds since taking over Thursday Night Football in 2022.

This lack of authentic crowd noise affects the overall viewing experience, as pointed out by many in the sports media industry, such as Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated and Jake Jolivette from Fox Sports. These professionals have echoed the sentiment that Amazon’s broadcast makes stadiums sound quieter than they actually are during live games.

Hawk explained that having proper crowd noise not only creates an energetic broadcast but also gives viewers insight into what the players on the field are experiencing. A loud crowd can enhance the excitement of the game and make it more enjoyable for both fans and players alike.

In summary, McAfee humorously suggested that the issue might lie with someone in a corporate office who thinks they know better than the fans. He joked about a “super-genius” in a focus group determining that viewers prefer to hear commentators over the raw sounds of the game. Despite the lighthearted tone, the underlying message is clear: authentic crowd noise is an essential part of capturing the true spirit of football games on TV.