The Olympics is broadcast on the BBC, meanwhile, the Paralympics are shown on Channel 4 and viewers have defended this split.
The Paris 2024 games got underway on July 26, and after ending on August 11, they will re-commence today, before running until September 8.
Sports fans will have to switch over channels to continue catching the coverage, as since 2012, Channel 4 has been airing the Paralympics.
One Reddit user, who uses the account name MyUnsername, voiced their frustration that it wasn’t also shown on BBC, like the Olympics counterpart.
‘Does it bother anyone else that Olympics are on BBC and Paralympics are on C4?’ they titled a thread.
Expanding on their feelings, they added: ‘I am writing as a person born with a disability, I mean no offence with the following.
‘It seems to me that the BBC’s position of not having to rely on adverts means that they would be the best broadcaster to show the Paralympics in a similar style to the Olympics regardless of them having less popular appeal.
‘Yet they are being covered by C4, who just don’t have the infrastructure to give coverage in any way comparable to the BBC coverage of the Olympics and have to interrupt the action with adverts.’
Not everyone agreed, instead commending Channel 4 for transforming the way the sporting events are presented, and explaining why they believe it should stay with the channel.
‘I don’t have a disability so I’m aware that my viewpoint on this may be different from someone who has, but I think C4 have been phenomenal in their commitment to the Paralympics since they started showing them,’ said user TrappedUnderCats.
‘I don’t remember there ever being much interest in them before they went to C4, but C4 have given them a real prominence in the schedule and have created additional things alongside the games to boost their profile.
‘It’s probably led to there being more representation of people with disabilities in the media. Maybe some of that would have happened anyway after London 2012 but C4 should have some of the credit.’
‘It’s their biggest, most important event of the year, which it could never be at the BBC,’ typed BlakeC16. VespaAlex said: ‘On the contrary. The BBC would never be able to justify the same blanket coverage for the Paralympics, so it’s better on channel 4 who seem to have a genuine passion for making sure it gets as wide an audience as possible.
‘They really go all-in,’ they concluded.
Channel 4 originally launched their London games coverage in 2012, with a bold advertisement campaign which included the slogan: ‘Thanks for the warm-up’.
They devoted hours to ensuring the sporting stars got the best showing and were praised for their handling.
‘We saw London 2012 as a huge opportunity to challenge stereotypes and champion minorities by bringing disability into the mainstream – and to do it with style and a sense of fun,’ Channel 4 Chief Executive Alex Mahon has previously said.
British swimmer Ellie Cole said: ‘Channel 4 elevated us from unknowns to equals in the sporting world. To actually be recognised for being elite, professional and real athletes is something Channel 4 contributed to in a big way.’
‘We had to cut through public indifference towards disability sports and low levels of awareness of the Paralympics.’
Before the London Paralympics, statistics revealed only 14% were excited to watch the series, but the International Paralympic Committee reported that afterwards, 83% of viewers agreed Channel 4’s coverage improved society’s attitude towards people with a disability.
Both the Rio 2016 and Toyko 2020 were watched by over 20 million people, and off-screen, they improved diversity by training 20 production staff with disabilities.
They also launched the comedy panel show The Last Leg, which is now part of the regular schedule on Channel 4.
Hosts Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker will be returning to the show’s original function during the 2024 games, covering the sports with a comedic twist.
Channel 4 Paralympic programming will from AM to PM, featuring the medals and stories of the day.
It will be aired across two channels and Channel 4 Streaming, plus, every televised moment will be streamed on Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube channel, with up to 18 concurrent streams.
The presenting and commentating team includes wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan, five-time Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds, actress and activist Rose Ayling-Ellis, Invictus Games medallist and presenter JJ Chalmers, TV and radio presenter Vick Hope, as well as Clare Balding who led the poolside coverage during the Olympics.
Paralympics Paris 2024: Opening Ceremony begins tonight at 6:30pm on Channel 4
