Seven becomes first commercial broadcaster to bag Paralympic rights

Seven Network will become the first Australian free-to-air network to broadcast the Paralympic Games after securing the rights for the 2016 competition in Rio, pledging multi-platform coverage of the event.

While free-to-air networks have always fought for the rights to the Olympic Games, with Seven securing the rights for the Rio and the 2020 Rio games last year, the ABC has traditionally broadcast the Paralympics, where people with disabilities compete across a range of disciplines.

The move has been welcomed by Glenn Tasker, chairman of the Australian Paralympic Committee as “an historic day” for the movement, adding: “The APC is confident that the quality and depth of Paralympic coverage provided by the Seven Network will set a new standard for the Paralympic movement, not just during the 12 days of competition, but for the 18 months leading up to the Games.