Wheelchair basketball draws audience of 3.3 million

31 August 2012

On the opening day of live sport, Channel 4's live Paralympics coverage drew a peak audience of 3.3 million viewers, 15 percent viewing share at 9.00pm - during coverage of the Wheelchair Basketball match between Great Britain and Germany.  Including the three Paralympics Extra channels, the peak at 9.00pm was 3.6 million viewers.

This figure exceeded the most watched episodes of the BBC's Paralympics highlights programming during both Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004, which peaked with 2.5 million viewers (on 9/09/08).  On the equivalent 2nd day during the Beijing Games, coverage peaked with 1.6 million viewers.

Further viewing highlights from the second day of the Paralympics include:

* From 7.30pm to 10.30pm, Channel 4's Paralympics Games 2012 Tonight programme averaged 2.5 million viewers, 12 percent audience share - peaking with 3.3 million viewers for the Wheelchair basketball

* Between 5.25pm and 6.25pm, the late afternoon coverage on Channel 4 averaged 1.9 million, 13 percent audience share - peaking with 2.5 million viewers.

* Between 1.00pm and 5.25pm, afternoon coverage averaged 1.3 million, 15 percent audience share - peaking with 1.8 million viewers.

* Across the day, the Paralympics coverage helped Channel 4 to an all-time share of 10.6%. Including the 3 additional Paralympic Extra live streams, this increased to 11.5% across the day - up +70% on the previous 12 month average.

* The Paralympics continued to perform well for peak demographics (figures include 3 extra Paralympic channels):

o   16-34 share (11.3%) was up by +48%

o   ABC1 share (13.6%) was up by +90%

o   Male share (11.4%) was up by +79%