Channel 4 has revealed their broadcasting plans for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with more than 70 per cent of the Channel 4 presenting team disabled.
Additionally, Channel 4 has committed t over 300 hours of coverage in bases Leeds, London and Tokyo.
COVERAGE
Enable columnist and former Paralympian and wheelchair basketball player, Ade Adepitan will be hosting the highlights show directly from Tokyo where viewers can watch all the exciting highlights from the Games in the special show, Today in Tokyo.
Joining Ade presenting coverage of the Games will be Sophie Morgan, former Royal Marine commando and Strictly Come Dancing star JJ Chalmers, and former professional rugby union player Ed Jackson.
Speaking of the presenting and coverage of the Games, Channel 4 director of programmes, Ian Katz says: “Channel 4 has long played a fundamental role in bringing a global audience to the Paralympic Games and for shifting perceptions of disabled people through our significant investment in coverage and award-winning marketing campaigns for London 2012 and Rio 2016.
“Now we’re finally able to get excited about bringing the long-awaited Tokyo 2020 Paralympics to UK viewers, with even more coverage than ever before across multiple platforms, from multiple locations and hosted by a stellar presenting team.
“We’re looking forward to bringing the best coverage possible to the British public so we can all get behind ParalympicsGB and celebrate their success in Tokyo.”
REPRESENTATION
Adding a touch of comedy to the event, The Last Leg will return broadcasting daily from London with presenters Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe.
Great Britain’s greatest every Paralympian, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson alongside Steve Brown, Liam Malone, Danny Crates and Liz Johnson will all feature as pundits during the coverage – marking this the largest number of disabled presenters ever seen on UK television.
Furthering their commitment to disability representation, More 4 is set to become a dedicated ParalympicsGB team sports channel – broadcasting matches live from Tokyo.
Events already confirmed for broadcasting include wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
Coverage will also be accessible with live subtitles. The opening ceremony is also confirmed to have live signing and audio-description/commentary simulcast on 4Seven.
As we head closer to the Paralympics, are you getting excited? Share your thoughts with the Enable community online, Twitter, Facebook