Universal Sports To Offer TV, Digital Broadcast Of Paralympics

By Tripp Mickle, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

Universal Sports, the Olympic channel co-owned by NBC and InterMedia Partners, will offer the first-ever TV and digital broadcast of the Paralympic Games courtesy of an agreement with BOCOG and the Int'l Paralympic Committee (IPC). A TV broadcast of the '08 Paralympics will begin October 8 and will include seven days of three-hour broadcasts. Live and delayed highlights of the Games also will be available in the U.S. online at universalsports.com from September 6-17. GE has signed on as the title sponsor of the broadcasts, and Visa has signed on as an associate sponsor. Both will have branded promotions during broadcasts and advertising on TV and online. The Paralympic Games begin in Beijing September 6. They will feature 4,000 athletes from 150 countries in 20 sports. In a statement, Universal Sports CEO Claude Ruibal said, “Bringing coverage of the 2008 Paralympic Games to the U.S. is a significant milestone in our mission to celebrate the athletes and competitions that truly exemplify the human spirit.” IPC President Sir Philip Craven said, “We at the (IPC) welcome this opportunity to expand our audience in the U.S., and show what a magnificent event this will be.” Olympic play-by-play commentator Al Trautwig will host the coverage of the '08 Paralympics.