08.25.08
Universal Sports Brings First Ever Multiplatform Broadcast Of Paralympic Games To U.S.
Source: Universal Sports
GE To Be Presenting Title Sponsor and VISA Exclusive Associate Sponsor of Universal Sports’ Broadcast of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games
LOS ANGELES - August 25, 2008 – Universal Sports, a multiplatform destination for amateur sports programming throughout the year which is co-owned by NBC Universal and InterMedia Partners, the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee (BOCOG) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced today an agreement to provide the first-ever multiplatform broadcast coverage of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, presented by GE in the U.S. The groundbreaking broadcast will premiere on September 6 on UniversalSports.com and October 8 on Universal Sports TV, followed by a special presentation of the events on NBC October 18.
Universal Sports TV broadcast of the 2008 Paralympic Games will start on Oct. 8, followed by at least seven days of three hour segments of coverage. The Paralympic Games will be available in the U.S. Sept. 6-17 with daily live and delayed highlight shows on UniversalSports.com. Daily video highlights will also be available at the official site of the U.S. Paralympic Team, USParalympics.org. Beginning in 2009, the U.S. Olympic Network will re-air portions of the 2008 Paralympic Games. Broadcast presenting title sponsor GE and associate sponsor VISA will provide branded promotions during the Paralympic Games with integrated media placements on Universal Sports TV and their websites.
The Paralympic Games is an elite sporting event for accomplished athletic champions spanning five different disability groups. Emphasizing the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality, the Paralympic Games showcase participants’ athletic achievements rather than their disability in a variety of competitions including Athletics, Swimming, Equestrian, Wheelchair Basketball, plus many more. In Beijing, a total of 4,000 athletes from around 150 countries will be competing in 20 sports.
“Bringing coverage of the 2008 Paralympic Games to the U.S. is a significant milestone in our mission to celebrate the athletes and competitions that truly exemplify the human spirit,” said Claude Ruibal, CEO of Universal Sports. “Universal Sports is committed to be the home of amateur and Paralympic sports and give sports enthusiasts’ exciting television programming, complemented by a unique online environment that brings athletes together.”
Said IPC President Sir Philip Craven: “We at the International Paralympic Committee welcome this opportunity to expand our audience in the U.S., and show what a magnificent event this will be. The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games are hitting a number of milestones and the broadcasting with Universal Sports will most certainly bring in more Paralympic enthusiasts.”
Coverage of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games on Universal Sports will be hosted by longtime Olympic play-by-play commentator Al Trautwig. Along with daily news and updates online, Universal Sports will be showcasing a special original athlete profile series.
For current Universal Sports scheduling information for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, please visit UniversalSports.com.
