Channel 4 has agreed to cover the next Summer and Winter Paralympics following its well received coverage from Rio.
A letter of intent signed with the International Paralympic Committee covers the 2018 Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang in South Korea, and the summer Games in Tokyo two years later, as well as the London 2017 Para Athletics Championships.
The letter sets out the principles of the deal, with a full agreement expected in coming weeks.
Great news and hope they give the World Champs next year full coverage on C4 itself.
TL
toby lerone 2016
Good news as Channel 4 have done an excellent job with the Paralympics, I personally feel their 2016 coverage surpassed 2012 and good they have managed to hold on to some sport content for 2017, 2018 and 2020 especially as they are losing Horse Racing at the end of the year and are losing Live F1 at least from 2018 unless they get highlights rights.
Makes sense really, too keep it where it is considering how much the profile's been raised and how much of a success it's been. If, for example, Eurosport offered more money and it went there (like the Olympics) then it would likely do more harm than good as there's no way it would get the same amount of exposure on there.
I do think the IPC really feel like their coverage has been a game changer for them and it's more of a partnership than just a rights agreement - their Superhumans ad this year was shown around the world.
I would just like to see C4 commit to a bit more coverage beyond the games, not just an hour of highlights in the early hours a week after the event. The IPC also need to step up their game as well - Sarah Storey last week said they actually have two World Championships in cycling a year but with no TV cameras present.
Would be good if we could have more coverage of events like the road cycling, rowing and triathlon next time, rather than just Channel 4 having a camera at the finish line. And the archery especially considering how well GB did there, and all we had was a single Channel 4 camera (that was filming in 25p rather than 50i to boot) with clips showing later on.
Would be good if we could have more coverage of events like the road cycling, rowing and triathlon next time, rather than just Channel 4 having a camera at the finish line. And the archery especially considering how well GB did there, and all we had was a single Channel 4 camera (that was filming in 25p rather than 50i to boot) with clips showing later on.
To be fair that wasnt CH4 fault, but more to do with rio city council or who ever was paying for stuff.
Would be good if we could have more coverage of events like the road cycling, rowing and triathlon next time, rather than just Channel 4 having a camera at the finish line. And the archery especially considering how well GB did there, and all we had was a single Channel 4 camera (that was filming in 25p rather than 50i to boot) with clips showing later on.
Minor point of order. All Rio 2016 coverage (OBS and rightsholder domestic 'pres') was 30/60 based