Vuvuzelas: Tell ESPN If You Want to Hear Them or Not

So far during this 2010 World Cup tournament, the talking points have been more off the field than on it. While the players from the 32 teams have failed to sparkle thus far, most of the talk seems to be focused on the vuvuzelas – whether they should be banned or not, and how Host Broadcasting Services and other broadcasters have added an audio filter to suppress the noise from horn-blowing fans.

According to an ESPN spokesperson quoted in USA Today, “We do mix the audio for World Cup matches, just like we do for other events ESPN covers (NASCAR races, football games, etc). Our goal is to find the right balance of natural sound with the calls of our commentators. We do put a premium on the natural sound because it helps tell the story of the event for viewers at home. We have not asked FIFA to ban vuvuzelas. We believe they are part of the experience and the flavor of soccer in South Africa.”

The spokesperson added that ESPN has gotten some viewer feedback on the topic “but not an overwhelming amount of criticism.”

That’s probably because most TV viewers don’t know where to send their feedback about the vuvuzelas and how they’re helping or ruining the viewing experience. So, no matter what side of the vuvuzela debate you stand on, I encourage you to share your feedback with ESPN by completing the ESPN online contact form.

If you care about the vuvuzelas or if you hate them, make your voice heard by contacting ESPN today.