Sky Sports ‘Choose a Chant’ feature to allow viewers to play songs in the stands

A new Sky Sports ‘Choose a Chant’ feature via an app has been designed to allow viewers to play songs in the stands of matches.

The broadcaster has revealed this will be available in their Fanzone and Watchalong options for their coverage of the Premier League when it returns in the matter of days.

Fans will be able to feel like they’re in a stadium by choosing football chants on Sky Sports with alternative ways to watch on select matches out of their 64 televised fixtures throughout the next few months.

Fans can use the ‘Crowds’ feature via Sky Sports Main Event on all but two of 22 currently scheduled live on Sky games, with the Crowds feature switching to Sky Sports Premier League for Burnley vs Watford (June 25) and Bournemouth vs Newcastle (July 1).

It allow fans to vote on which songs should be played while the game is in action with supporters having a choice from clubs’ well known favourites to player-specific chants.

The new Zoom-like ‘Fanzone’ feature on Sky Sports’ website and app allows fans to watch matches with mates and/or family on video.

The broadcaster has also confirmed crowd noise will be available on all 64 of their games.

Sky Sports managing director Rob Webster said last week:
“With live sport on hold for over two months, we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how we broadcast in new ways to bring fans together, even if they can’t meet up to watch the match.

“Sky has always been a leader in innovative sports broadcasting, and we’re excited by this opportunity to share something really special with the whole nation. We want Sky Sports viewers to still feel it all and have the best possible viewing experience – even if they can’t be in the stadiums or watch with their family and friends.”

Fake crowd noise and digital fans was part of viewing experience in the Bundesliga and LaLiga recently.

It seems to be controversial, but I’m a big fan of the fake crowd noise in these behind closed door games.

Definitely adds something, especially to moments/goals like this last minute winner from Haaland today. pic.twitter.com/b0U2AI9pzJ

— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) June 13, 2020

The following are the Premier League games which have been picked for Sky Sports coverage.

Crowd noise available on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Pick and Sky 1 unless stated…

Wed June 17: Aston Villa vs Sheff Utd – 6pm, Sky Sports
Wed June 17: Man City vs Arsenal – 8.15pm, Sky Sports
Fri June 19: Norwich vs Southampton – 6pm, Sky Sports, Sky Pick
Fri June 19: Tottenham vs Man Utd – 8.15pm , Sky Sports
Sat June 20: West Ham vs Wolves – 5.30pm, Sky Sports
Sun June 21: Newcastle vs Sheff Utd – 2pm, Sky Sports, Sky Pick
Sun June 21: Aston Villa vs. Chelsea – 4.15pm, Sky Sports
Sun June 21: Everton vs Liverpool – 7pm, Sky Sports, Sky Pick
Mon June 22: Man City vs Burnley – 8pm, Sky Sports, Sky Pick
Tue June 23: Leicester vs Brighton – 6pm, Sky Sports
Tue June 23: Tottenham vs West Ham – 8.15pm, Sky Sports
Wed June 24: Man Utd vs Sheff Utd – 6pm, Sky Sports, Sky Pick
Wed June 24: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace – 8.15pm, Sky Sports
Thu June 25: Southampton vs Arsenal – 6pm, Sky Sports
Thu June 25: Burnley vs Watford – 6pm, Sky Sports, Sky Pick (Crowd noise on Sky Sports PL, Sky Pick, Sky 1)
Sun June 28: Watford vs Southampton – 4.30pm, Sky Sports, Sky Pick
Tue June 30: Brighton vs Man Utd, 8.15pm, Sky Sports, Sky Pick
Wed July 1: Everton vs Leicester – 6pm, Sky Sports
Wed July 1: Bournemouth vs Newcastle – 6pm, Sky Sports, Sky Pick (Crowd noise on Sky Sports PL, Sky Pick, Sky 1)
Wed July 1: West Ham vs Chelsea, 8.15pm, Sky Sports
Thu July 2: Sheff Utd vs Tottenham – 6pm, Sky Sports
Thu July 2: Man City vs Liverpool – 8.15pm, Sky Sports

Fans reacted after discovering that the Sky Sports ‘Choose a Chant’ feature to allow viewers to play songs in the stands…

– supports a team where their only chant is Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea

— ً (@jwoIstencroft) June 12, 2020

Ashley Out

— Biancoverde (@biancoverde_) June 13, 2020

EA? Will probably disconnect 10 mins in

— Liam (@_CFCLiam) June 12, 2020

Don’t overdo it for the City fans, should be realistic ?

— ?? (@likeitlmao) June 12, 2020

There’s an option to have crowd noise

— MUFC News (@MUFC_UPDATES99) June 12, 2020

So that’s what they’ve been wasting their time doing instead of giving us content

— AlfR_SW6??????? (@AlfR_SW6) June 12, 2020

This one pic.twitter.com/Mzg6M9TQT2

— Curtains (@curtains6) June 13, 2020

Fuck off, absolutely ridiculous idea

— Macca (@jmacca260) June 13, 2020

Embarrassing

— Terry Knight (@Tknightsy) June 13, 2020

Man City been doing this for the past 5 seasons.

— Kloppslot (@kloppslot) June 13, 2020

Including, ‘The referees a wanker’? It needs to be authentic

— Shane (@shaneybaby) June 12, 2020