Record number of broadcasters for Rio 2016

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed that the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be covered by television, radio and online outlets in a record 154 countries between 7-18 September.

It follows on from the London 2012 Paralympic Games where coverage was beamed to 115 countries, and represents a 30 per cent increase in territories showing the Paralympics four years ago.

The IPC is now more confident than ever that it will reach a cumulative global audience of four billion for the first time. It also expects Rio 2016 to be the start of a revolution in the way people watch Para sport, with some broadcasters choosing to create multi-platform options for their viewers online, in apps and on television.

Alexis Schaefer, the IPC’s Marketing and Commercial Director, said: “We are excited to be able to build on the success of 2012, where we reached a cumulative 3.8 billion viewers, with a number of new broadcasters coming on board. Existing partners have also recognised the demand and potential of Para sport by boosting their coverage, utilising new technologies and spreading it across platforms.”

Contributing towards the legacy of Latin America’s first Paralympic Games, American Movil will provide coverage to 21 countries in the Americas. Globo Sport TV will beam images of Brazil’s Para athletes as they attempt to secure a top five finish in the medals table for the hosts.

NBC and NBCSN in the USA will be showing 66 hours, including live online at TeamUSA.org with US Paralympics.

In Canada, an innovative consortium approach between the National Paralympic Committee, CBC/Radio Canada and its partners will lead to more than 1,000 hours of digital, television and radio content.

Japanese broadcaster NHK plan to show 120 hours of dedicated coverage across their networks through television, radio, digital services and 8K Super Hi-Vision, including live.

Europe will have a record of 53 broadcasters. Among them France Televisions will produce more than 100 hours of live broadcasts on France 2 and France 4 and broadcast a series of special programmes and documentaries. Channel 4 continues to push the envelope in broadcasting Para sport with British television’s largest ever team of presenters with an impairment across their 700 hours of live online and TV production.

SuperSport will broadcast the Paralympics in 30 Sub-Saharan African countries, alongside rights holders in Egypt and Libya on the continent more widely.

Australia’s Seven will deliver 14 hours of live coverage a day across the network’s digital platform, citing the most comprehensive, technologically advanced multi-platform coverage ever for a Paralympic Games. TVNZ and rights holders Attitude Pictures announced plans for more than 180 hours of coverage in New Zealand online on TVNZ’s fully live streamed TV channel DUKE.

“Overall digital output is increasing, alongside our own social media coverage with even more behind the scenes content and real-time videos than ever before and a record 680 hours of livestreaming at Paralympic.org on 15 high definition channels,” Schaefer continued.

“We are in a fantastic position across the world, including growth in the Americas which will make a huge contribution to the legacy of Rio 2016.

“I am delighted that we are enjoying great relationships with our largest ever group of broadcasters, who are essential and committed to building the profile and reach of the Paralympic Movement around the world.”

Fans can find out where the can watch Rio 2016 in their country at https://www.paralympic.org/watch-rio-2016, with more deals expected to be added before Rio 2016 gets underway.