The IPC expect the 2016 Paralympic Games to enjoy record breaking television coverage ©Getty Images

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) claim they expect next year's Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro to exceed a global television audience of four billion for the first time.

They claim the Games, due to take place in the Brazilian city from September 7 to 18, will break all viewing records as they aim to build on the success of the 2012 event in London.

The announcement was made to mark the 500 days to go milestone as IPC President Sir Philip Craven outlined the amount of coverage the Games will receive next year.

“With 500 days to go until the Rio 2016 Paralympics we have far more broadcasters signed up to show the Games than we did at this stage for London 2012,” Sir Philip said.

The IPC are still aiming to expand coverage in the lead-up to the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year
The International Paralympic Committee are still aiming to expand coverage in the lead-up to Rio 2016 ©IPC

“This underlines the rapidly growing interest broadcasters have in covering the Games and showcasing the abilities of Paralympians to their audiences.

“At this stage for London 2012 the only broadcaster we had signed to show the Games was British broadcaster Channel 4.

“In comparison for Rio 2016 we already have a number of major markets covered.

“Over the coming weeks and months we will be working hard to secure coverage in those territories which have yet to agree a deal to ensure the widest possible global audience has the opportunity to watch the Games.

“I am fully confident that the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will break the four billion cumulative global viewers barrier for the first time, a huge achievement and testament to the growth of the Paralympic Movement.”

London 2012 was widely considered as the best Paralympic Games ever and Sir Philip Craven is hoping Rio can go one better next year
London 2012 was widely considered the best Paralympic Games ever and Sir Philip Craven is hoping Rio de Janeiro can go one better next year ©Getty Images

The Games are set to attract 4,350 athletes from 170 countries who will compete for 428 medals across 22 sports.

The success of London 2012 is largely credited with a rapid growth in popularity of Paralympic sport and Sir Philip is looking forward to what he expects will be an historic spectacle in Rio in 2016.

“For the last two years people have talked about the success of London 2012 and rightly so, they were the best Games ever,” Sir Philip added.

“However, I now feel the tide is slowly turning and everyone from athletes to the media is focussing on and talking about their excitement for Rio 2016.

“No two editions of the Games are ever the same, each brings their different qualities and I am confident that Rio 2016 will not just be transformational for Brazil, but for the whole of Latin America.

“You only have to look at what impact London 2012 had on Great Britain, to realise that such seismic changes could take place across a whole continent as a result of Rio 2016.”


Related stories
March 2015: Seven Network to broadcast Rio 2016 Paralympics in Australia
March 2015: Africa sets goal for more success at Rio 2016 Paralympics
December 2014: Petitclerc leads praise for Rio 2016 Paralympic preparations but warns selling tickets will be tough
November 2014: Sunset+Vine to work alongside Channel 4 for coverage of Rio 2016 Paralympic Games