Audiences everywhere are set to be captivated and inspired as the world's best athletes gather in PyeongChang for the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and, as rightsholder for Europe*, the EBU will see the Games broadcast free-to-air in over 25 countries. Many Member broadcasters will be dedicating more hours of coverage than ever before for a Paralympic Winter Games, giving millions of viewers the chance to be part of this amazing event.

As well as managing the European* rights, the EBU's business arm, Eurovision Media Services (EMS), will manage the international distribution of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games to rightsholders over the Eurovision Global Network, providing more than 200 hours of live programming. EMS will also provide dedicated services to selected broadcasters.

The EBU renewed its contract with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in 2017, securing the rights for the Paralympic Games through to Tokyo 2020. Together with the IPC, the EBU through its free-to-air Member coverage has helped raise the profile of the Paralympic movement throughout Europe, having managed the rights to the Paralympic Games for a number of years, initially working with the Organising Committees and subsequently with the IPC.

The EBU will also be supporting the IPC in ensuring Paralympic sport has a high profile online and on social media platforms to provide all viewers with access to their competing athletes.

This includes coverage across the well-reputed digital platforms of the EBU Members and the ability for the IPC to enhance its impressive digital strategy including live streaming and clips exploitation in selected territories.

Stefan Kuerten, Director EBU Sport says, "We are very proud of our longstanding association with the IPC and the Paralympic Games and it is great to once again see such interest in PyeongChang 2018. The EBU Member public service remit and the values of the Paralympic Movement go hand-in-hand and this partnership aims to grow and develop the Games through each edition."

*The agreement with the IPC covers all EBU Member territories with the exclusion of Russia and the UK where Channel 4 already hold the rights in a deal done directly with the IPC. For Russia, the EBU and IPC have worked together to confirm rightsholders and extensive coverage through EBU Members RTR, Channel One Russia and with Match TV.