I've noticed this on Sports+ games too.
The audio mix and 'game atmosphere' is dire, and is much like the games during the pandemic when they dubbed on fake, low-level crowd noise alongside the commentary, to try to compensate in some way for the empty stadia at that time.
It's nothing to do with the Sky box audio settings either, as I was switching between the Carabao Cup games last night (18-12-24) and the 'primary' Arsenal & Liverpool games (on Main Event and SSF) were the usual audio balance with excellent stadium audio and 'atmospherics', whilst the Newcastle game on SS+ had barely any stadium audio (which is always intense at St James's Park!) and an overly loud, lacklustre commentator!
I've noticed this on other SS+ games I've watched too, and I suspect it's because when there is no 'full' Sky OB production team at a game, there are no stadium microphones, which on 'primary' games you'll see dotted around the pitch perimeter and which occasionally you'll hear a 'thump' from as they get kicked by the players or hit by the ball!
It's great that EFL clubs are getting much more coverage per team each season now with SS+ but it's disappointing to say the least, if the broadcasts lack any atmosphere, due to low level, 'distant' stadium audio and an overbearing commentary. If the 'modest' stadium audio feeds ARE provided by the clubs own systems, surely Sky could at least rebalance the broadcast audio, such that the stadium feed is at least equal to that of the commentary levels?!
It would be interesting to hear the opinions of anyone technically involved with these games, and whether Sky plan to improve on the audio component of the SS+ broadcasts going forward. After all, Sky Sports is currently being promoted with the 'Feel It All' slogan, but with the audio component of most SS+ games, that definitely DOES NOT apply at present!!
