Channel 4 has been awarded the UK television rights to the 2012 London Paralympic Games. The deal with the London Organising Committee (Locog) will see more than 150 hours of coverage of the Paralympic Games and Paralympic sport, with the channel completely rebranded with a Paralympic theme from the end of the 2012 London Olympics.
Previously, British television coverage of the Paralympics was provided by the BBC.
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of Locog, commented: "The eyes of the world will be focussed on the Paralympic Games – the world’s second biggest multi-sport event – in London in 2012. We will deliver a spectacular sporting showcase for the world’s greatest Paralympic athletes, and will use the power of Paralympic sport to raise awareness; challenge stereotypes; inspire understanding and communicate the Paralympic values of determination, courage, inspiration and equality.
"We are absolutely delighted to appoint Channel 4 as our broadcast partner in the UK. Channel 4 shares our vision for the Paralympic Games, has a very strong appeal to young people, and will play a hugely important role in increasing public engagement and involvement in Paralympic sport in this country.
"We are confident that the quality and depth of the broadcast coverage provided by Channel 4, not just for the 12 days of sport in 2012, but in the two and a half years leading up to the Games, will inspire disabled people of all ages to take up sport and be a catalyst for continued change in public attitudes towards disability. The commercial value of this deal has raised the bar financially for the Paralympic movement."
The deal with Channel 4 includes multi-platform broadcast rights within the UK, with non-exclusive rights in the Republic of Ireland. Channel 4 will produce and screen two peak time 10 part documentaries in 2011 and 2012, building the stories of the athletes and their journey to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. It will also include dedicated coverage of the Paralympic Torch Relay and will be supported by the biggest marketing campaign in the broadcaster’s history.
Channel 4 will also cover key disability sports and sporting events, in the run up to the Paralympic Games in 2012.
Lord Burns, Channel 4’s Chairman Designate, said: "For Channel 4, the London Paralympic Games will be the main event, not a sideshow to the Olympics; the Games will define our year in 2012 and take over Channel 4 for their duration. The Paralympics will be one of the most significant sporting events to be staged in Britain for many years and we’re confident the more comprehensive and more cross-platform coverage we are offering can connect the Games with the widest possible cross-section of British viewers.
Kevin Lygo, Channel 4’s Director of Television and Content, added: "Channel 4 has done more than any other broadcaster to bring disability into the mainstream and we have a great track record of broadcast innovation with sports like Test cricket. We are genuinely thrilled to be given this opportunity to work with Locoq to bring Paralympic sport into full public focus before, during and beyond the 2012 Games and to deliver a lasting legacy, including altering public attitudes to disability and disability sport."
Multi-medal winning Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson welcomed the news. "I am pleased that the Paralympic Games will be shown by a terrestrial broadcaster in the UK in 2012. Channel 4 has some exciting plans for its coverage and marketing support. I look forward to seeing these plans progress in the coming months and years ahead on the road to London 2012 "
