TORONTO – With 100 days to go to the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) announced fully accessible broadcast and electronic media plans for the most comprehensive coverage ever offered in Canada for a Paralympic Games – more than 65 hours of broadcast and up to 350 hours of digital streaming, connecting Canadians via multi platforms.
Through a new broadcast model, the CPC has secured the Canadian broadcast rights to the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games and RIO 2016, and will lead the Paralympic Broadcast Consortium partners in creating coverage on five broadcast/digital platforms: CBC/Radio-Canada, Sportsnet (through an agreement with CBC), Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) and Yahoo Canada Sports.
In addition, SendtoNews will distribute full news access highlights to all Canadian media for both broadcast and digital usage at no cost to users.
"During the London 2012 Paralympic Games, we saw broadcast records soar across many continents. In Canada, Canadians told us that they wanted more Paralympic Games coverage on television – and the CPC listened and acted," said Martin Richard, executive director of communications and marketing, in the announcement. "Each media partner brings a unique element to the table allowing us to widen the scope of the coverage, yet share a common goal and passion of telling our athletes' incredible stories and exciting athletic achievements."
The Canadian Paralympic Broadcast Consortium model was supported by presenting partners for the broadcast that include Petro-Canada (a Suncor Energy Business), Canadian Tire, Air Canada and CIBC. Detailed schedules of coverage on all platforms will be announced closer to Games time, as will on-air talent, which will include Paralympian commentators.
The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games will take place from March 7 – 16, 2014, and will include six sports: para-alpine skiing, biathlon, para-Nordic skiing, sledge hockey, wheelchair curling and para-snowboard (first time at the Paralympic Games). Canada will send approximately 50 athletes to compete in Sochi in all sports.
