The 2012 Paralympic Games

Interesting Setanta have the rights in Ireland and it's going to be free to view.

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=24841

No doubt many will watch Channel 4's coverage as well.

As far as I know, it doesn't get any American TV coverage anywhere?

C4 Press Pack: http://www.channel4.com/info/press/press-packs/london-2012-paralympics-on-channel-4

Britain and Australia (ABC) are the only countries that have ever given it much coverage. I don't think it has ever been shown in Ireland before. In America the special Olympics are a far bigger event.

You'd have thought it would have at least got coverage on PBS. And from NBC's point of view you'd be able to find many more of the those types of 'human interest' stories in the Paralympics than the Olympics.

More 4's simulcast of the opening ceremony is with Audio Description.

Will there be a commentary free version of the opening ceremony?

Possible one of the three extra channels will offer it. And if I'm interpreting this right it sounds like Freeview HD will get the three channels though only via the red button (and in SD I assume). IMO a much better use of the spare HD capacity than just simulcasting something Freeview folk already get - would have rather had three more SD streams for the Olympics than 301 HD.

http://paralympics.channel4.com/news-pictures/news/newsid=1233885/index.html#how-to-watch-the-paralympics

Prediction: if it's only on HD that you get the extra channels, could it actually be doing them over IP? C4 don't have any video capacity on red button, even if just on HD do they?

Edit: Just realised it would be unlikely cos they'd mention the need for internet probably.

I assume it's the space BBC used for 301 HD, and assume they're showing three SD streams - but could be just one extra HD stream I suppose. I think they're deliberately vague to avoid any confusion between Freeview and Freeview HD - as essentially it sounds like it'll be extra SD channels delivered by Freeview HD.

Not for the first time I've assumed wrong - the Freeview HD service will be one extra HD stream.

http://www.channel4.com/info/press/press-packs/c4-paralympics-extra

What's the plan in Wales for HD coverage on Freeview? We don''t have Channel 4 HD.