PyeongChang 2018: IPC expects record-breaking international audiences

"Not only do we have more broadcasters but many of them are also dedicating more airtime across all platforms than previous Games editions. Through traditional linear and online coverage, we are confident that we will see an increase in the international audience enjoying the Games."

With just three days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has said it believes the international TV and social media audience for the event will break all previous records.

So far a record 47 rights-holding broadcasters have agreed to show the Games, covering at least 100 territories. With many broadcasters dedicating more airtime to the Games than ever before across all platforms, the IPC is confident the cumulative international audience outside of the host market will exceed the record 1.4 billion that watched the Sochi 2014 Paralympics outside of Russia.

In total, a cumulative audience of 2.1 billion tuned into the Paralympic Winter Games four years ago with the host market contributing a cumulative 625 million viewers. Although the Korean audience is not expected to match this figure, Alexis Schaefer, the IPC’s Commercial and Marketing Director, does believe PyeongChang 2018 will break new territory.

“With just three days to go until the Games begin, we have more broadcasters than ever before set to cover the Winter Paralympics which shows the growing global interest in Para sport,” Schaefer said. “What is greatly encouraging is that not only do we have more broadcasters but many of them are also dedicating more airtime across all platforms than previous Games editions. Through traditional linear and online coverage, we are confident that we will see an increase in the international audience enjoying the Games outside of the host country. I am certain that all those who tune in will enjoy the spectacular sporting action on offer.”

• Leading the way in increasing its coverage of the Winter Games is Japanese broadcaster NHK. The long-term Paralympic broadcaster, who also has the rights to Tokyo 2020, will screen 62 hours, 30 more than it showed from the Games four years ago

• Ahead of the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, Chinese broadcaster CCTV will screen a minimum of 40 hours of coverage

• In France, the host nation of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, France Television will dedicate 100 hours of coverage, 40 more than it showed for Sochi 2014

• In the USA, the country that will stage the 2028 Paralympic Games, NBC Olympics will present more than 250 hours of coverage across all platforms. This includes 94 hours on television, which is nearly double the broadcaster’s coverage of Sochi 2014

• Channel 4, the multi-award winning British broadcaster that has covered the last three Paralympics, will broadcast a minimum of 100 hours of coverage across its platforms

• German winter Para sport fans will benefit from 60 hours of coverage via ZDF and ARD, double the number shown four years ago

• Swedish viewers can enjoy more than 120 hours of coverage from SVT, 30 more than Sochi 2014

• Australian broadcaster Seven will broadcast a one-hour highlights show that airs three times daily

• In Canada, viewers will enjoy 125 hours of television coverage covering all six sports. Events can also be watched on demand.

• As the holder of European rights (excluding UK and Russia), the European Broadcasting Union has secured free-to-air coverage from over 25 broadcasters across Europe.

Underlining the growing global interest in the Paralympic Winter Games, more than 810 domestic and international media have been accredited for the Games, a 23 per cent growth on Sochi 2014.

The increased international broadcast and media coverage of the Paralympic Winter Games will be complimented by the IPC’s own online coverage of PyeongChang 2018. Through its partnership with the Olympic Channel utilising its video player, the IPC will broadcast more than 280 hours of live coverage via www.paralympic.org, covering all six Para winter sports. In addition daily highlights packages for all sports will be produced for social media while all sessions, matches and races will be made available as video on demand on YouTube.

The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games will take place between 9-18 March.