Channel 4 will produce more than 200 hours of live coverage and highlights for the next instalment of the Paralympic Games as it looks to build on the success of London 2012.

The UK's official Paralympic broadcaster won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for Sport and Live Event for their coverage of London 2012, widely regarded as the best Paralympic Games to date.

The Games made a significant impact on changing viewers' attitudes and perceptions towards disability and in particular disability sport, it was claimed. 

They were also co-produced by Sunset+Vine.

"The Rio Paralympics will be one of the defining events of 2016," said Channel 4's head of live events, Ed Havard.

"We're delighted to be working with Sunset+Vine to showcase the Games for our audiences and to build on the extraordinary success of the 2012 coverage."

Channel 4's coverage of the London 2012 Paralympic Games was praised worldwide for significantly changing viewers’ attitudes and perceptions towards disability and, in particular, disability sport ©Getty Images



In 2012, Channel 4 launched the careers of 10 new disabled presenters and reporters following a ground-breaking nationwide search for on-screen talent,

The new partnership with Sunset+Vine will extend this investment in disabled talent, with further details set to be announced in January 2015.

"We're delighted to be teaming up once again with Channel 4 to bring the 2016 Paralympic Games to the UK audience," said Jeff Foulser, chairman of Sunset+Vine.

"Our award-winning experience from London 2012 and the expertise we have developed from subsequent events has enabled us to demystify Para-sport and present it in an exhilarating and entertaining way.

"Thanks to Channel 4's ongoing commitment to Para-sport, there is now a genuine appetite to follow the GB team at the Rio Paralympics 2016, and the exciting performances and inspirational stories behind their achievements.

"We look forward to playing our part in making Rio an even greater success."

The Opening Ceremony for the 2016 Rio 2016 Paralympics is due to take place on September 7, with competition set to run through until September 18.

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