Paralympics on Channel 4 followed from 20 meters away

Channel 4 has reported that its coverage of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games reached 20 million viewers both linearly and via streaming – a third (33 percent) of the total television viewing population – helping the broadcaster to its highest audience share in 12 years.

Based on data from the Opening Ceremony and the 11 days of competition, the channel achieved an overall audience share of 8.8 percent, 23 percent higher than the Tokyo 2020 Games and 74 percent higher than the channel’s average market share last year. In the week ending September 8, Channel 4 achieved its highest audience share since the end of the London Paralympics in September 2012.

Viewers watched a total of 7.3 billion minutes of linear and streaming viewing, compared to 4.9 billion for Tokyo 2020. At the same time, Channel 4’s streaming traffic is 85 percent higher than for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

On social media, Paralympics content has generated 41 million views to date across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, while more than 2.4 million live streams and 2.1 million non-live streams have been recorded on Channel 4’s YouTube channel.

TikTok has now garnered 30 million views as fans watched clips such as Dan Pembroke’s record-breaking javelin throw (pictured). On Instagram, Channel 4’s Paralympics account secured 6.6 million views as fans tuned in to watch Jonnie Peacock’s plea for greater inclusion in disability sport.

The record-breaking performances of ParalympicsGB athletes resonated strongly with young viewers, with Channel 4 recording the highest ever share of young viewers at a Paralympic Games. Channel 4’s linear TV share – 12 per cent – of the 16-34 year old audience surpassed its coverage of London 2012 and is over 44 per cent for Tokyo 2020 and 122 per cent above the broadcaster’s average market share over the past year.

Some of the most popular moments from Channel 4’s coverage of the Games included:

• Jonnie Peacock takes silver in the men’s 4×100 meter relay (peak performance 1.5 million).
• Gold for Tully Kearney in the final of the S5 women’s 200 meter freestyle (peak value 1.6 million)
• David Weir’s ultimately unsuccessful attempt to win a third Paralympic gold medal in the Men’s T54 1500 metres (1.5 million metre peak).
• Channel 4’s live coverage of the closing ceremony attracted an average of 1.1 million viewers – an increase of over 200 percent over the average audience for the Tokyo 2020 closing ceremony.
• The coverage of the opening ceremony reached a share of 22.5 percent among 16-34 year olds.

Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4, said: “I am incredibly proud of Channel 4’s role as broadcaster of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Our accessible coverage – with more hours of broadcast time than ever before, presented by a ground-breaking team of presenters – has been a real joy. The sport was incredible, the feedback from athletes about what it means to them was inspiring and the huge number of entries to Every Body Moves represents a positive step forward. Our innovative team of presenters, experts and reporters entertained, informed and celebrated great live sport, while we leave a legacy in Cardiff with the first fully accessible gallery and production facility. Today’s announcement of record ratings underlines the continued progress of our strategy to reach new digital viewers as well as serve our existing linear audiences.”