International Paralympic Committee signs "biggest ever" broadcasting deal with Japanese station NHK

NHK and the IPC have signed what has been hailed as the largest deal in Paralympic broadcasting history ©IPC/NHK

Public broadcaster NHK has been awarded exclusive rights in Japan for all Paralympic Games until 2024 in an agreement hailed as the biggest in the Movement's broadcasting history.

Covering television, radio, internet, mobile and all other media platform, the deal will cover the home Games of Tokyo 2020, as well as Pyeongchang 2018 and the yet to be awarded 2022 Winter and 2024 Summer editions.

It extends a similar agreement which covered the Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Games.

At Tokyo 2020, they will aspire to provide the "most comprehensive broadcasting campaign ever delivered by a broadcaster from the host country for a Paralympic Games".

Live coverage across their networks will be provided, including television, radio, digital services and 8K Super Hi-Vision, while sporting action and both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be shown on terrestrial and satellite television channels every day.

“This is a monumental agreement for the entire Paralympic Movement, the biggest long-term deal in Paralympic broadcasting history which highlights the growing appetite for Paralympic sport ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games," said International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President, Sir Philip Craven.

“NHK has a rich history of producing excellent Paralympic content and we are very excited about the plans they have not just for the Paralympic Games, but the promotion of Para-sport events in between the Games.

"The deal means more Para-sport coverage than ever before for Japanese TV viewers.

“Such a long-term agreement, further strengthening the partnership between the two organisations, will enable us to further raise awareness of the Paralympic brand and its values in Japan in the lead-up to, during and in the years following the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.”

Tokyo 2020 has opened huge potential to expand both the Olympic and Paralympic movements in Japan ©Getty Images

The announcement, which follows last week's unveiling of marketing giants Dentsu to lead a promotional campaign in Japan before the Games, comes as the IPC seek to boost the Paralympic brand across new markets.

Before all future Games, NHK will promote the event through the creation of dedicated websites, pre-programming and comprehensive and wide-ranging marketing campaigns, it was added.

Coverage of other events, such as international competitions staged by IPC sports in the years in between the Paralympic Games, will also be shown as part of a drive to "contribute to the Paralympic Movement in Japan".

“Since the 1964 Tokyo Games, NHK has been broadcasting the Paralympic Games pushing the Paralympic Movement forward in Japan," a statement from NHK added.

"With expectations and excitement rising high ahead of Tokyo 2020, NHK will make full use of their experiences and technologies to send to viewers throughout every corner of Japan, the attraction and the excitement of the Paralympic Games.”

The announcement follows a 110 billion yen (£593 million/$1 billion/€733 million) deal between the International Olympic Committee and Japan Consortium, which includes NHK and the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association, until 2024.