The network, which also has the rights to broadcast the next three Olympics and is the APC's first ever commercial broadcast partner for the Paralympics, will air the Games live from the Brazilian city for 14 hours a day.

As well as television coverage, the agreement means Seven will broadcast action from the Paralympics on its digital channels and on the radio.

"This is a historic day for the Australian Paralympic Movement," Glenn Tasker, chairman of the APC, said.

"We are very proud to welcome the Seven Network as our first ever commercial broadcast partner for the Paralympic Games and we are equally excited about the opportunity we now have to share the stories of Australia's Paralympic athletes.

"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.

"The Seven Network has embraced the Paralympic ideals and we will do everything we can to ensure our new partnership plays an important role in shaping community perceptions of people with disabilities."

Australia placed fifth at the last Summer Paralympics in London, thanks to golds from the likes of Evan O'Hanlon ©Getty Images


The deal marks the end of the long broadcast relationship between the APC and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, but the managing director of the state-owned national network, Mark Scott, took to Twitter to congratulate Seven.

"Congrats to Channel 7 for winning the rights to the Paralympics. The ABC is proud of its role in building a great audience for the Games," he wrote.

"The Olympics and Paralympics will be a good fit for 7 - glad there is a commercial market and more $ for them - but sorry to see it go."

Kerry Stokes, the chairman of Seven West Media, said it is an honour to become Australia's network for Rio 2016.

"We are proud of our long partnership with the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the Olympic Movement, and we look forward to our partnership with the International Paralympic Committee and the Australian Paralympic Committee," he added.

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