Channel 4 has reinforced its commitment to diversity in announcing a bold new presenting team for the 2016 Paralympic Games including the largest number of disabled presenters ever seen on British television
2016 is Channel 4’s Year of Disability, marking its commitment to increasing on and off-screen representation of disabled people across the schedule.
Almost two-thirds of all on-screen talent during the Paralympics coverage are disabled.
The channel’s runaway hit from the 2012 Paralympic Games, The Last Leg, will be placed at the heart of the coverage, and will come live from Rio every evening at 8pm.
Last Leg host Adam Hills will also be leading the channel's coverage with Clare Balding, and will be joined by F1 presenter Lee McKenzie and former Olympic champion Jonathan Edwards.
Additional presenters including Breaking Bad’s RJ Mitte, broadcaster Sophie Morgan and former marine commando JJ Chalmers.
Ade Adepitan and Arthur Williams, who presented coverage at the 2012 Paralympics, will also appear.
Channel 4 has promised over 700 hours of coverage across all platforms, including nearly 120 hours of live sport on television and a highlights package presented by Lee McKenzie available on All4 from 6am daily.
The broadcaster has put accessibility at the core of its coverage, with subtitles available across all platforms and live audio description and singing of the opening and closing ceremonies will be simulcast on 4seven. Audio described and signed editions of The Last Leg will be available on 4seven each evening shortly after the live broadcast.
The Rio Games will also feature a brand new LEXI – the animated on-screen graphic – which has been completely overhauled for 2016.
The graphic is designed to improve understanding of the complicated classifications of Paralympic sport in terms of how athletes with different types and levels of impairment are separated into competitive classes.
Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murphy and sports announcer Rob Walker will provide commentary on the opening and closing ceremonies.
Daytime presenting line up (1-7pm daily)
JJ Chalmers, former Marine commando
Sophie Morgan, disability campaigner, model and broadcaster
Ade Adepitan, London 2012 presenter and former Paralympic wheelchair basketball player
Arthur Williams, London 2012 presenter and former Royal Marine
Evening presenters (7.30pm-1am daily)
Clare Balding, journalist and broadcaster
Jonathan Edwards, former Olympic triple jumper
RJ Mitte, actor, producer and disability activist
The Last Leg (8-9pm daily)
Adam Hills, comedian
Josh Widdicombe, comedian
Alex Brooker, journalist and presenter
