Japanese public-service broadcaster NHK has acquired exclusive broadcast and exhibition rights to four editions of the Paralympic Games from 2018 to 2024 in a deal the International Paralympic Committee has hailed as the biggest in Paralympic broadcasting history.
NHK has secured the rights for television, radio, internet, mobile and all other media platforms in Japan for the PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, as well as the Games in 2022 and 2024.
During its home Paralympic Games in 2020, NHK plans to provide the most comprehensive broadcasting campaign ever delivered by a broadcaster from the host country.
NHK is set to show dedicated live coverage across its networks, including television, radio, digital services and 8K Super Hi-Vision. In addition to the opening and closing ceremonies, NHK will broadcast competition from Tokyo 2020 on terrestrial and satellite television channels every day. The schedule will be further enhanced through extensive coverage of the Games and athletes on NHK’s news programmes and digital platforms.
Sir Philip Craven, IPC president, said: “This is a monumental agreement for the entire Paralympic Movement, the biggest long-term deal in Paralympic broadcasting history which highlights the growing appetite for Paralympic sport ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games.
“NHK has a rich history of producing excellent Paralympic content and we are very excited about the plans they have not just for the Paralympic Games, but the promotion of para-sport events in between the Games. The deal means more para-sport coverage than ever before for Japanese TV viewers.
“Such a long-term agreement, further strengthening the partnership between the two organisations, will enable us to further raise awareness of the Paralympic brand and its values in Japan in the lead-up to, during and in the years following the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.”
Before all future Paralympic Games, NHK will promote the event through the creation of dedicated websites, pre-programming and wide-ranging marketing campaigns. NHK will also cover other para-sport events, such as international competitions staged by IPC sports in the years in between the Paralympic Games.