Rob2012 Posted March 14, 2010 Report Posted March 14, 2010 No you could organise a coverage live of an event in less than 2 days... France Television did it often in France to broadcast finals of our handball team (for which they did not hold the right for the all tournament). And from what seen here in Vancouver, it pretty easy to broadcast at the Paralympics. Just ask for a position at OBS (that create in less than an hour), buy your satellite connexion and that's it !!! so BBC would have probably change its plans if they got the 2012 paralympics... But here to give a great coverage on the Paralympics would increase the interest of UK citizen for it and would promote the 2012 coverage of Channel 4 ! The BBC had exactly the same amount of coverage of the Torino 2006 Paralympics. That was two years prior to their biggest ever Olympic operation in Beijing. The decision to only have a one hour highlights show was not made on the back of losing the 2012 rights, I'm almost certain of it. The amount of coverage is entirely consistent with what they've done in the past for the Winter Paralympics.
OneTimeOnly Posted March 14, 2010 Report Posted March 14, 2010 Yes, the Paralympics are a noble endeavour, and disabled sports is an inspiring outlet for sections of the world community. But, and I really don't want to sound callous about this, broadcasters aren't about to give them blanket, or even extended, coverage purely as a goodwill gesture. They want ratings, and Paralymics just don't rate. They don't command the widespread attention that able-bodied sports own at all times. I'd love to be proven wrong, but as far as I'm aware, no disabled sporting leagues get prime time coverage of their events at any other times of the four year cycle. I sure can't remember seeing coverage of any disabled world championship of any sport outside of the paralympics. In sports and entertainment, it's senior sports that have the economic leverage. And able-bodies sports are what we aspire to participate in - most of us probably engage in activities that culminate in the Olympics - be it just cycling to work, swimming at a pool in summer, working out at the gym or social football on the weekends. It's great that, god forbid, there are activities we can take up if we ever become disabled, but most all of us hope we stay healthy and don't have to. I probably do agree though that it would perhaps be better for their profile for the Paralympics to be staged in the lead-up to a games. Maybe a month or even two before. They would be able to feed on the anticipation leading up to a senior Olympics, they would act as teasers for the main games for the broadcasters who are already in place for the bigger event, they would help to test out facilities and structures. I can see a lot of positives for them in being the appetiser for the main event, rather than the night-cap afterthought after mostly everyone has left. Logistically, it's probably too difficult to stage them concurrently as part of the main Olympics. For a start, it would mean a huge expansion of what's required for an Olympic village beyond the point where it is viable for potential hosts. Even if spread over a month, they would all require expanded facilities for the hugely swelled "Olympic Family" pool. BTW - are their going to be Paralympic Youth Games as well? God, I actually agree with Roltel on something.
Brekkie Boy Posted March 16, 2010 Report Posted March 16, 2010 The ParalympicSport.TV site is very good for both live and on demand coverage. The highlights per day only come to 20-30 minutes, rather than a fixed 55 minute programme as it looked initially, but surely at the least broadcasters could make that available on their on demand / interactive services even if they're not carrying other coverage.
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