“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with PyeongChang 2018 for the IPC to act as the exclusive international sales agent for the next Paralympic Winter Games.”

The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (POCOG) has appointed the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to act as the exclusive sales agent for international broadcast rights for the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

Under the terms of the IPC-IOC agreement, a Games Organising Committee is responsible for selling the international broadcast rights to the Paralympic Games. However, after an agreement was signed on Thursday (24 September), PyeongChang 2018 has given the responsibility for marketing and negotiating international broadcast agreements to the IPC.

By taking over the marketing of international rights, the IPC aims to maximise coverage of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and create long lasting relationships with broadcasters that will ensure viewers have a greater knowledge and engagement of Paralympic sport in years to come.

The IPC struck similar agreements with both the Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Organising Committees leading to record breaking results.

The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games were watched by a cumulative TV audience of 2.1 billion in 55 countries, a significant increase on the 1.6 billion who watched the Games in Vancouver in 2010.

And, with just under one year to go until Latin America’s first Paralympic Games, Rio 2016 is on course to break the four billion cumulative audience barrier for the first time with TV pictures set to be beamed to more than 120 countries and territories.

Xavier Gonzalez, IPC Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with PyeongChang 2018 for the IPC to act as the exclusive international sales agent for the next Paralympic Winter Games.

“Through the IPC taking on a similar role for the 2014 and 2016 Games, we have not only built loyalty with rights holders but continuity with TV viewers who are able to see more hours of Paralympic sport coverage than ever before.

“We aim to build on this success for future editions of the Games and are confident we can increase the number of international rights holders covering the Paralympic Winter Games in 2018.”

POCOG President Yang-ho Cho commented: “International broadcast rights sales is crucial for the success of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games as well as the sustainable development of the Paralympic Games as a whole. With today’s agreement, more global viewers will be able to witness and share unforgettable and historic moments of Paralympic athletes achieving their challenges through sports.”