Internet TV to Broadcast Live from 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Torino
// USOC // March 10, 2006
Visit U.S. Paralympics
TORINO, Italy - For the first time in history, people in the United States will be able to see live coverage of the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, thanks to an Internet television channel. People can visit www.paralympicsport.tv for live coverage, as well as footage from previous Paralympic Winter Games, including Örnsköldsvik in 1976 and Salt Lake City in 2002.
"For the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, ParalympicSport.TV is expected to provide over 100 hours of live coverage from all four winter sports - Alpine Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey, Nordic Skiing and Wheelchair Curling - as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. In addition to the live coverage, the International Paralympic Committee will also provide a daily highlights package with the best performances from the previous days' competitions," said IPC President Sir Philip Craven.
Charlie Huebner, Chief of Staff for the U.S. Olympic Committee, said the channel could be great for increasing visibility and awareness of Paralympic sport across the country.
"This webcast presents an incredible opportunity for Paralympic sport in the U.S.," Huebner said. "Millions of people across the country will have an opportunity to watch the Paralympic Games and be introduced to the Paralympic movement, and we hope that it will inspire people with physical disabilities to get involved in Paralympic sport programs."
ParalympicSport.TV is a top quality 24/7 television channel broadcasting via the Internet with either regular or full screen size available for the best viewing experience. Viewers will be able to watch live and delayed programming, or see the coverage on demand later free of charge. Developed and managed by Narrowstep Inc., ParalympicSport.TV underlines the truly global nature of Paralympic broadcasting. The implementation of the new channel is co-ordinated by the IPC together with brand stage, a Hamburg based marketing agency.
The multi channel platform with a main video screen, a programme guide and a highlights section provides an additional medium for viewers to watch television coverage of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, when they want, where they want. The searchable "Paralympic Archive" also features historical footage from various Paralympics.
"The Paralympic Games have made it on many television programmes in various countries. ParalympicSport.TV will now create opportunities in countries where there is no traditional television broadcast and satisfy the demand for additional content in other markets, reaching a worldwide audience," commented IPC Media and Communication Director Miriam Wilkens.
"The functionality of our system and the top class video quality makes viewing a hugely enjoyable experience," said Narrowstep COO Clifford Webb. "Embracing a new medium in this way to broaden coverage of the sports is a tremendous inititaive by the IPC."
In addition to being Worldwide Partners of the IPC, Samsung and Visa are the presenting sponsors of this project.
The long-term goal of ParalympicSport.TV is to become a global media platform for Paralympic and IPC sport, also providing access to images from other competitions and activities. By increasing the accessibility to coverage of Paralympic Games, this new technology will allow more people to experience and witness the outstanding sporting performances of Paralympic athletes.
For more information, please contact the U.S. Olympic Committee's Media Services office at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Sestriere, Italy at 011-012-276-849.
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