The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has secured wide global visibility for this year’s Paris Paralympic Games by signing media deals in over 160 countries.
Live coverage from over 22 sports will be shown throughout the month-long games, commencing on 28 August, an increase on 19 broadcast during Tokyo 2020 and 15 at Rio 2016.
Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President, remarked: “It’s fantastic news that the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 are going to be broadcast in more countries and territories than ever before.
“To have reached this sales record with six months still to go is another proof of the huge anticipation for these Games around the world. For Paris 2024, it also marks an important step towards our goal of taking the visibility of Para sport and Para athletes to another level this summer.
“We have prepared an extraordinary stage, with iconic venues in the heart of the city to elevate the Paralympians’ performances and help inspire new audiences in France and around the world.”
Domestically, France Televisions will broadcast the Paralympics whilst Radio France and RMC will provide radio coverage. On the other side of the English Channel, UK terrestrial broadcaster Channel 4 will cover the Games for the fourth consecutive time.
Channel 4 first broadcast the Paralympics in 2012, and in 2020 was chosen by Paris 2024 as this edition’s partner. The BBC, meanwhile, will retain its long-standing position as official broadcaster of the Olympic Games, covering events live on BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer.
Lastly, pan-European rights to the Paralympics will be held by Infront, the company having first secured terms in 2021. The company will cover the games in 40 European countries, its highest distribution ever.
John Lisko, Managing Director of IPC Global Media Rights, said: “According to Nielsen, interest in the Paralympic Games in the last eight years has more than doubled and this has been reflected by Media Rights Holders and their increased commitments.
“It is clear that the sensational improvement in athletic performances we have witnessed in the last decade, combined with the growing depth of talent and competition across all 22 sports, is leading to greater interest from viewers, and broadcasters who are now placing an even greater value on the Games.
“Our objective between now and the opening of the Games is to engage and secure even more media rights holders. We want to give every person on this planet the opportunity to consume and enjoy the Paralympic Games whether that be through traditional TV, streaming, social platforms, digital content, or radio.”
The IOC added that the overall revenue raised as a result of these increased media rights sales has increased by 20% from the Tokyo Games, which was shown across 154 countries and territories with a total viewership of 4.1 billion.
Lisko added: “The sport on offer has never been better and with Paris 2024’s support all 22 sports will benefit from live coverage at some point during the Games, viewers will have more choices than ever before.
“Paris 2024 really could be a game-changer in terms of broadcast coverage for the Paralympic Games.”
