VIEWERS of the Paralympic Games were left seriously unhappy with Channel 4 after they made a controversial broadcasting decision.
The sporting tournament drew to a close in Paris after a mammoth ceremony with Channel 4 bringing round the clock coverage of the Games.
Having cleared out their schedules for the past two weeks in order to focus entirely on the Games, many loyal viewers were left feeling dismayed with a number of decisions when it came to broadcasting the Closing Ceremony output.
From the get-go, fans were left rattled after the show opted to use its expert presenter’s commentary throughout, making it difficult for viewers to hear any of the music or actual goings-on from the stadium.
Stars including Clare Balding, Ellie Simmonds and Ade Adepitan lead the unprecedented coverage but many fans were left hoping to enjoy the ceremony in its purest form at some stages as opposed to hearing what the starry hosting team had to say.
Elsewhere, Channel 4 opted to drop the final moments of the Closing Ceremony as a result of scheduling restrictions.
The final moments of the final party were left unbroadcast in the UK as the network opted to broadcast a highlights VT from the hosts about this year’s Games.
It then cut straight to a special live episode of The Last Leg from Paris – causing uproar among fans who had tuned in for almost two hours at the time to watch the entire ending.
Bringing the broadcast to an abrupt halt, an aerial shot of the stadium could be seen as Clare remarked: “Well we will let the party here in Paris continue, but as far as Channel 4 is concerned, it will continue with The Last Leg.
“It follows straight after us and it is their final live show from Paris.”
She then introduced the VT package as the ceremony continued as she said: “It’s been a fantastic 11 days of competition, the numbers say some of it – 20 sports, 22 venues and thousands of athletes but that doesn’t even tell half of the story.
“You will never forget Paris 2024.”
Hitting out, one furious fan spat: “What in the ever living f*** @Channel4! After all the ad breaks & talking over the music, you’ve now totally cut away from the closing ceremony so we don’t get to see the end.
“You manage to rearrange the schedule when the F1 overruns. What a sour note to end on.”
Another echoed: “This is a shambles from @channel4, why are they talking all over the closing ceremony based around music, just let us listen.”
A third said: “Really wish the @Channel4 commentators would stop talking now! We don’t see everything because they decide to have advert break and now you don’t get to enjoy the performances because they keep talking!!”
“So can’t even watch the end of the closing ceremony @Channel4 !? Way to celebrate the Paralympics guys,” uttered a fourth before someone else chimed in: “Wow @Channel4 your not even showing the rest of the ceremony????”
Whilst another penned: “Classic @Channel4 talking about how well they’ve done with their @Paralympics coverage whilst cutting off the action that people actually want to watch! I don’t know why I’m even surprised they cut off the Closing Ceremony before the end.”
By Jake Penkethman, TV Reporter
ALTHOUGH some viewers were openly annoyed at the way in which Channel 4 opted to end its coverage of the Paralympic Games, this slight mishap should really not take away from what has been a fantastic and ground breaking edition of the Paralympics.
For the first time ever on UK TV, the companion to the Olympics received the exact same treatment as its proceeder.
Channel 4 went ‘full-on BBC’ and decided to wipe their schedules clean for just shy of two weeks in order to go full-throttle with its output – a move which will set the bar and the precedent for future Games.
As with any live sporting tournament, there are bound to be occasional mishaps and the odd questionable choice but this should not be the overriding feeling when it comes to this year’s Paralympics.
The work and effort of Channel 4 this year is astounding with viewers tuning in like never before.
A star-studded team of hosts, including many with disabilities, helped to bring joy to the nation and celebrate the talents of the fantastic athletes.
Channel 4 took incredibly brave steps including having the first ever deaf presenter of a live sporting show in the form of actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.
She was joined by a variety of other stars with disabilities including Jodie Ounsley, Billy Monger, Fats Timbo and Ellie Simmonds for their enviable output.
The commitment of Channel 4 to shine a light on Paralympians and put those affected by some of the same life experiences at the forefront is testament to their dedication to making the Games more accessible than ever before.
Channel 4 then proceeded with its planned episode of The Last Leg starring Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker as planned.
The trio have been hosting complementary editions of the programme from Paris during the current Games.
