BBC viewers blast new drama This City is Ours as they're 'fed up' with cast 'mumbling' - but did you notice?

Introduction

The BBC’s latest crime drama, “This City Is Ours,” has garnered significant attention since its debut. Starring Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan, the series delves into the complexities of a Liverpool crime family. While the narrative and performances have been praised, a notable segment of the audience has expressed dissatisfaction with the show’s audio quality, particularly concerning muffled dialogue and overpowering background music.

Viewer Complaints: The Audio Dilemma

Social media platforms have been abuzz with viewers voicing their frustrations over the show’s sound design. Many have highlighted difficulties in understanding the dialogue due to what they describe as “mumbling” by the cast and intrusive background scores.

One viewer commented, “Is promising but they need to knock the soundtrack down a bit, can’t hear what’s being said sometimes!” Another added, “The background sound/track is drowning out the speech.” Such sentiments have been echoed across various forums and discussion boards.

The issue isn’t isolated to “This City Is Ours.” The BBC has previously faced similar complaints regarding other productions, leading to public apologies and adjustments in subsequent episodes. In one instance, the broadcaster acknowledged, “We are adjusting the dialogue levels in episode two and three to address audience concerns so they can enjoy the rest of the drama.”

Accents and Authenticity: A Double-Edged Sword

Set in Liverpool, the series aims to capture the city’s unique cultural and linguistic nuances. However, some local viewers have criticized the authenticity of the accents portrayed. A Reddit user from Liverpool remarked, “Admittedly I’ve only watched one episode I found the accents of the cast not from Liverpool awful…they sound so phoney and put on.”

While the intention was to provide an authentic representation, the execution appears to have fallen short for some, further complicating the audio comprehension for viewers unfamiliar with the regional dialect.

The Broader Implications: Sound Design in Modern Television

The challenges faced by “This City Is Ours” highlight a broader issue in contemporary television production: balancing artistic sound design with audience accessibility. As shows strive for cinematic quality, intricate soundscapes can sometimes overshadow dialogue clarity.

Technological advancements are being explored to address this. For instance, a new AI technology called Clear Dialogue, developed by DTS, aims to enhance dialogue clarity by allowing viewers to adjust the balance between dialogue and other audio elements in real-time. Such innovations could offer solutions to the recurring problem of inaudible dialogue in television dramas.

Conclusion

“This City Is Ours” presents a compelling narrative set against the backdrop of Liverpool’s criminal underworld. However, the series’ reception has been marred by audio issues that have hindered viewer engagement. As the television industry continues to evolve, prioritizing clear and accessible sound design will be crucial in ensuring that storytelling remains effective and inclusive for all audiences.

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Thomas Wilson

Beauty Features Editor at loxabeauty.com

Thomas Wilson is a Beauty Features Editor with a keen eye for discovering and curating the latest trends, product innovations, and expert insights in the beauty world. Through his editorial work, Thomas provides readers with captivating and informative content that celebrates the art and science of beauty.

BBC viewers blast new drama This City is Ours as they’re ‘fed up’ with cast ‘mumbling’ – but did you notice?