Sunset+vine Secures Paralympic Coverage

Channel 4 has awarded the production contract to its live coverage of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games to Sunset+Vine, after what was described as an ‘extensive’ tender process.

The broadcaster will produce more than 200 hours of live coverage and highlights for the next instalment of the Paralympic Games, which takes place in September 2016.

In 2012, Channel 4 launched the careers of 10 new disabled presenters and reporters following a nationwide search for on-screen talent.

The new partnership with Sunset+Vine will extend this investment in disabled talent, with further details to be announced in January 2015.

Jeff Foulser, chairman of Sunset+Vine, said: ‘We’re delighted to be teaming up once again with Channel 4 to bring the 2016 Paralympic Games to the UK audience.’

‘Our award-winning experience from London 2012 and the expertise we have developed from subsequent events has enabled us to demystify Para-sport and present it in an exhilarating and entertaining way.’

‘Thanks to Channel 4’s ongoing commitment to Para-sport, there is now a genuine appetite to follow the GB team at the Rio Paralympics 2016, and the exciting performances and inspirational stories behind their achievements.’

‘We look forward to playing our part in making Rio an even greater success.’

Channel 4’s Head of Live Events, Ed Havard added: ‘The Rio Paralympics will be one of the defining events of 2016. We’re delighted to be working with Sunset+Vine to showcase the Games for our audiences and to build on the extraordinary success of the 2012 coverage.’

Earlier this week the mascots for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics were revealed (pictured above) with the yellow Olympics mascot representing the animals of Brazil, while the blue Paralympics mascot ‘is a fusion of plants found in Brazilian forests’.

A poll will decide their names with the results to be announced on 14th December. The shortlisted pairings to chose from are Oba and Eba, Tiba Tuque and Esquindim or Vinicius and Tom.