Many people have contacted us to describe their difficulties with background noise on TV programmes.

The good news - we're working to tackle this problem

The BBC recognise there is a problem and over one week in February asked their 20,000 strong, "Pulse" viewers' panel to report on a whole week's programmes to find out more about which are intelligible, and which are not. Once they have finished analysing the data we'll let you know the results.

In the meantime we would like to invite you to do some television monitoring yourselves in order to give us a better picture of the problem across the main UK channels, including the BBC.

If you ever find background noise a problem then please do take part.

How to take part in our TV monitoring survey

For one week from Monday 16 August to Sunday 22 August 2010, help us by taking notes when you watch TV programmes, especially ones that have given you problems in the past. Let us know the results using our questionnaire. (We're monitoring a "normal" week, without exceptional changes to the schedule due to the World Cup or Wimbledon).

We'd like you to concentrate on BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel4, and Five so that we can target our campaign effectively (but if you feel very strongly about the issue on other channels or on radio programmes please feel free to comment on them). Please make a note of the following: Channel, programme title, date, time and full details of the problem experienced.

Please tell us about as many programmes as possible so that we can get a thorough understanding of the situation and return your questionnaire(s) to us by Monday 30 August 2010.

If you are able to watch television during this week you will need to record your findings on our questionnaire (external link).

The next step

We're going to look at the evidence that you've gathered and highlight the "top 10 problem programmes" to the broadcasters (and their producers).

We'll press for changes to the broadcasters' production policies (in response to your findings) and let you know their reaction through this website and One in Seven magazine. The more support we get the better, so we're counting on your help! 

If this is an issue that you feel strongly about then this is your chance to bring about the changes that you want.

TV viewers' quotes

"So many of the TV programmes these days have overpowering "music" or sound effects. It can drown out actors in plays and films. In nature or history programmes one often cannot hear what is said at the most interesting points. I know I am not alone in having this trouble, and younger people than I have agreed with me, so it doesn't only affect the deaf."

[Sheila Stapleton, Guildford]

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"I have been engaged in a discussion on the BBC Points Of View messageboard about the way many TV programmes are now ruined for people with any hearing difficulty by the excessive use of accompanying 'music' (often just some wretched guy doing two finger plinking on a piano is enough to get one reaching for the remote either to change channel or turn off, but it can be far worse than that). It seems to me to be a massive and worsening problem.

Could I add my voice to any campaign you are doing in this area, which one could once have described as 'background music', but I feel is more properly described now as 'foreground noise pollution'.

[Clive Wilson, Bournemouth]

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"Please, please, PLEASE, can you do something about the irrelevant drumming and loud blasts of music to which we are subjected when trying to listen to the news and similar programmes. My brother and I both have hearing aids, and struggle to follow the speech and text, only to be deafened even more by the inappropriate loud "music" and drumming during the items (which is much louder than the speech). Several people have written to the broadcasters, to no avail - we are just ignored. Please HELP."

[Shirley Headley, Hampshire]