Universal Sports Brings First Ever Multiplatform Broadcast of Paralympics to US

“Universal Sports is committed to be the home of Olympic and Paralympic sports and give sports enthusiasts’ exciting television programming, complemented by a unique online environment that brings athletes together.”

The groundbreaking broadcast will premiere on 6 September on UniversalSports.com and 8 October on Universal Sports TV, followed by a special presentation of the events on NBC 18 October.

Universal Sports TV broadcast of the 2008 Paralympic Games will start on 8 October, followed by at least seven days of three hour segments of coverage. The Paralympic Games will be available in the United States from 6 to 17 September with daily live and delayed highlight shows on UniversalSports.com. Daily video highlights will also be available at the official site of the US Paralympic Team. Beginning in 2009, the US Olympic Network will re-air portions of the 2008 Paralympic Games.

Broadcast presenting title sponsor GE and associate sponsor VISA will provide branded promotions during the Paralympic Games with integrated media placements on Universal Sports TV and their website.

The Paralympic Games are an elite sporting event for accomplished athletic champions spanning five different disability groups. Emphasizing the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality, the Paralympic Games showcase participants' athletic achievements rather than their disability in a variety of competitions including Athletics, Swimming, Equestrian, Wheelchair Basketball, plus many more. In Beijing, a total of 4,000 athletes from around 150 countries will be competing in 20 sports.

“Bringing the 2008 Paralympic Games to the United States is a significant milestone in our mission to celebrate the athletes and competitions that truly exemplify the human spirit,” said Claude Ruibal, CEO of Universal Sports. “Universal Sports is committed to be the home of Olympic and Paralympic sports and give sports enthusiasts’ exciting television programming, complemented by a unique online environment that brings athletes together.”

Said IPC President Sir Philip Craven: “We at the International Paralympic Committee welcome this opportunity to expand our audience in the United States, and show what a magnificent event this will be. The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games are hitting a number of milestones and the broadcasting with Universal Sports will most certainly bring in more Paralympic enthusiasts.”

Coverage of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games on Universal Sports will be hosted by longtime Olympic play-by-play commentator Al Trautwig. Along with daily news and updates online, Universal Sports will be showcasing a special original athlete profile series.

For current Universal Sports scheduling information for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, please visit UniversalSports.com.