I've noticed some audio problems on CBS broadcasts of the NFL and college football this season. The audio will change from 5.1 to 2.0 and back again several times per game. When it changes to to 2.0 the volume drops dramatically. If I turn it up at that point, when it comes back to 5.1, it will be deafening. It's really annoying.

Has anybody else experienced this or is this a local issue? I'm watching WMBD in Peoria through Insight cable.

The change between 5.1 and 2.0 is caused by them going to the studio for game updates. It will happen a moment or two before they switch to the studio, this is a a known issue with the CBS NFL and college coverage. Sometimes it will switch to 2.0 but they will not go to the studio, that is because they decided to change their plans and not go to the studio at that time.

It's dropped down to 2.0 when they transition to the NY studio for a game update. Yeah, it's pretty annoying :(

It does it more than when they switch to the studio. I also get crackles on the CBS side.

It does it more than when they switch to the studio. I also get crackles on the CBS side.

Agreed. I posted about this a couple weeks ago. 5.1 to 2.0 drop outs occur repeatedly throughout the game with no rhyme or reason. I have Comcast.

I've noticed some audio problems on CBS broadcasts of the NFL and college football this season. The audio will change from 5.1 to 2.0 and back again several times per game. When it changes to to 2.0 the volume drops dramatically. If I turn it up at that point, when it comes back to 5.1, it will be deafening. It's really annoying.

Has anybody else experienced this or is this a local issue? I'm watching WMBD in Peoria through Insight cable.
The CBS audio feed can change to 2.0 before a break, but the level shouldn't drop because of it. Are you listening to the output of your cable box (the red and white RCA connectors) or are you using your "home theatre" system (via the digital audio output)? If you're using your home theatre, you could tell whether something other than the channel configuration is changing.

Agreed. I posted about this a couple weeks ago. 5.1 to 2.0 drop outs occur repeatedly throughout the game with no rhyme or reason. I have Comcast.
Can you offer more descriptions about these "crackles" like how often and what they sound like?

And why aren't the highlights in HD from JB back in NY (Sunday Ticket HD feed)?

The crackels on my end are on the center channel and it sounds like it's dropping in and out. Almost like a loose connection.

The CBS audio feed can change to 2.0 before a break, but the level shouldn't drop because of it. Are you listening to the output of your cable box (the red and white RCA connectors) or are you using your "home theatre" system (via the digital audio output)? If you're using your home theatre, you could tell whether something other than the channel configuration is changing.A friend who comes by on Sundays for the games and I have noticed the audio switch for a number of weeks now. At first, we thought it was my problem but it has happened so often and only during HD games.

Comcast HD audio thru coax to AVR.

YMMV

And why aren't the highlights in HD from JB back in NY (Sunday Ticket HD feed)?

HD editing equipment is not being used to edit highlights for the games, which means it is most likely not place for quick turnaround editing needed for highlights.

This audio issue is so annoying to me that I turn off 5.1 altogether while watching games on CBS.

By "turning off 5.1" do you mean you only listen to CBS games in the stereo mode? If your station sends 5.1, they only send 5.1 (and maybe an SAP.) Your stereo is a downmix of the 5.1. If you heard any crackling, it should be there regardless of mode. If you heard constant collapsing to stereo while listening to 5.1 (before you turned it off) that means CBS didn't have their stereo flagged correctly. I'll have to listen to a CBS game this weekend.

A friend who comes by on Sundays for the games and I have noticed the audio switch for a number of weeks now. At first, we thought it was my problem but it has happened so often and only during HD games.

Comcast HD audio thru coax to AVR.

YMMV
I'm on TWC and this has been happening to me for a long time now. It'll just keep changing audio constantly throughout the program, to the point where it's unwatchable....only on the HD channel. Switch the the SD version and it's fine.

I also have an occasional problem where there's no center channel signal on certain HD channels. Sometimes it's during the program, and the center channel comes back on commercials, other times it's the opposite.