The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) expects the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to break all broadcast viewing records and exceed a cumulative global audience of four billion people for the first time.
IPC president Sir Philip Craven said that the total audience is likely to beat the 3.8 billion cumulative viewers who tuned in for the Games in Beijing and London in 2008 and 2012.
“With 500 days to go until the Rio 2016 Paralympics we have far more broadcasters signed up to show the Games than we did at this stage for London 2012,” Craven said. “At this stage for London 2012 the only broadcaster we had signed to show the Games was British broadcaster Channel 4. In comparison for Rio 2016 we already have a number of major markets covered. Over the coming weeks and months we will be working hard to secure coverage in those territories which have yet to agree a deal to ensure the widest possible global audience has the opportunity to watch the Games.”
Craven added: “Later this year the domestic deal for Brazil will be concluded and all such agreements open up the Games to far more people than ever before. I am fully confident that the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will break the four billion cumulative global viewers barrier for the first time, a huge achievement and testament to the growth of the Paralympic movement.”