Bernie Wilson
Updated on: October 10, 2024 2:15 am GMT
Historic Viewership for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Captivates Audiences in the UK and Canada
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have set a new standard for viewership and accessibility, drawing substantial audiences in both the UK and Canada. As millions tune in to witness the outstanding athleticism and determination of para-athletes, Channel 4 and CBC/Radio-Canada report unprecedented engagement levels, significantly surpassing those recorded during the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Record-Breaking Audience Figures in the UK
Channel 4 announced that its extensive coverage of the Paris Paralympics has engaged 18.5 million individuals in the UK, accounting for approximately 30.4% of the television population. The broadcaster highlighted that this year’s Games are “the most accessible Games to date,” attributing much of the increased viewership to improvements in British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation and audio description services.
At the midway point of the Games, viewer numbers were already 4% higher compared to the Tokyo Games, and streaming views had doubled. All together, audiences watched a staggering 4.3 billion minutes of coverage across terrestrial TV and streaming platforms, a significant rise from the 2.9 billion minutes consumed by the same stage in Tokyo 2020.
Memorable Moments
Among the most-watched events was Team GB’s Tully Kearney winning gold in the Women’s 200m Freestyle S5 category, which attracted 1.6 million viewers. In addition, Milly Pickles made her debut as a television presenter during the games, covering various events and interviewing GB medalists. Her journey is particularly inspiring; after losing her leg to an accident, she spent years training for the Paralympics before shifting her focus to broadcast journalism.
The Evolution of Presenting
Milly Pickles emphasized the significance of representation, noting that the visibility of disabled presenters and commentators serves to motivate others in the community. “For people who are struggling, it’s just so reassuring to know you’re not alone,” she remarked. This year’s lineup features a diverse array of disabled hosts, including renowned names like Ade Adepitan and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.
Canadian Audiences Join the Celebration
In Canada, CBC/Radio-Canada reported that over 11 million viewers engaged with its broadcast coverage over the 12-day event, marking the most comprehensive Paralympic coverage to date. The coverage incorporated three live daily shows and over 1,000 hours of live streaming content on CBC Gem and various digital platforms.
Canadian audiences spent an impressive average of 1.2 million hours each day watching the broadcasts, reflecting a remarkable 119% increase from Tokyo 2020. Streaming content, in particular, saw a phenomenal rise, with time spent consuming digital offerings increasing by 537%.
Highlighting Canadian Achievements
The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games recorded over four million viewers across English and French channels, while the closing ceremony attracted 3.2 million viewers, marking increases of 118% and 60% respectively compared to the previous Games. The high levels of engagement underscore a growing interest in Paralympic competition among Canadian audiences.
The Impact of Accessible Broadcasting
Channel 4’s commitment to accessibility has set a benchmark for future broadcasts. Pickles noted that measures such as live audio descriptions and simultaneous BSL broadcasts are vital not only during coverage but also in shaping the television industry going forward. “They really are practicing what they preach behind the scenes,” she stated.
Reflection on the Games
As the Games near their end, presenters like Alex Brooker reflect on the unique atmosphere. He views the event as not merely a sporting celebration, but a reaffirmation of resilience and joy in the face of adversity. “It’s a celebration of sports, a celebration of disability. To me, I just think that the whole thing is just awesome,” Brooker stated.
The shared experiences between presenters and athletes contribute to a deeper narrative, adding layers of empathy and understanding that resonate with viewers. Milly Pickles, having interviewed athletes like Hannah Moore who won a bronze medal in triathlon, described her roles as both an honor and a motivator.
As the worldwide audience continues to engage with the Paralympics, lessons about accessibility, representation, and celebration remain at the forefront. The strides made in broadcasting not only reflect changing attitudes toward disability in sports but also pave the way for a more inclusive future in media representation.
If you want to learn more about the Paralympic Games happening right now, check out CBC/Radio-Canada and Channel 4.
