When the 2008 Australian Paralympic Team takes on the world's best in Beijing, Australia's national broadcaster will ensure that Australian television viewers have access to more Paralympic sport than ever before.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) have announced a collaboration to bring the 2008 Paralympic Games into every household in Australia.
ABC TV will broadcast more than 100 hours of live and highlight coverage across ABC1 and ABC2 during the Games between 6-17 September.
ABC TV's coverage will include the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, which will be broadcast live on ABC1 and ABC. There will be two one-hour daily highlight programs on ABC1 and over seven hours of daily live coverage on ABC2. The broadcasts will also be available in high definition on ABC HD (digital channel 20).
Greg Hartung, President of the Australian Paralympic Committee, commended ABC TV's commitment as an important milestone in the recognition of Australia's Paralympic athletes.
"Since the success of the Sydney Games, we have known that Australians are passionate supporters of Paralympic sport," Mr Hartung said.
"Independent research tells us that a significant majority of Australians followed the success of the Australian Paralympic Team in Athens, with television playing a major role."
"It is fitting that Australia's largest ever away team will be followed by the most extensive Paralympic Games coverage by a television network in the world."
Kim Dalton, the ABC's Director of Television, said his network was delighted to bring such extensive and unprecedented coverage to the Australian public.
"ABC TV's coverage in 2008 will be the biggest effort by any broadcaster, anywhere in the world. We are excited to be there to show viewers every medal won by Australia's elite Paralympic athletes," he said.
"We have a highly experienced team of presenters and crew who will bring high quality, high definition coverage of the games to the homes of all Australians."
Mr Hartung said that the Australian Paralympic Committee will send 170 athletes and 123 officials to the Beijing Paralympic Games this September - Australia's biggest team ever to an "away" Games.
The coverage of the Beijing Games has been assisted by Australian Government funding support to ensure quality television coverage and a particular focus on Australia's female Paralympians, as recommended by the report of the Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee inquiry into women in sport in Australia in September 2006.
In 2008, 72 women will compete for Australia at the Beijing Games, making up 45 per cent of the team. In Athens in 2004, 40 per cent of Australian athletes were female compared with the average from all countries of 30 per cent.
"The APC is proud of its progress in advancing the participation of women in Paralympic sport," said Mr Hartung.
"We look forward to working with the ABC to highlight the performances of our female athletes in Beijing and to boosting, even further, their numbers in London."
ABC TV's daily coverage schedule is:
Opening Ceremony - LIVE on ABC1 and ABC2 *
Saturday September 6 at 9:50pm - Hosted by Adam Hills, Louise Sauvage and Karen Tighe
Daily highlights on ABC1 *
6pm - 7pm - Hosted by Steve Robilliard
11:30pm - 12:30am - Hosted by Karen Tighe
Daily live coverage on ABC2 *
1pm - 5pm - Hosted by Steve Robilliard
7:30pm - 11pm - Hosted by Karen Tighe
Opening Ceremony - LIVE on ABC1 and ABC2 *
Saturday September 6 at 9:50pm - Hosted by Adam Hills, Louise Sauvage and Karen Tighe
* Also screens in high definition on ABC HD (digital channel 20).
The ABC's Beijing commentary team will also include Peter Wilkins, Peter Walsh, Gerry Collins, Quentin Hull and Clint Wheeldon.
