Statement: Winter Paralympics 2026

Statement published 2 March 2026

Ofcom has given its consent to Channel 4 to broadcast exclusive live coverage of the Winter Paralympic Games in 2026.

We consulted between 23 January and 13 February 2026 on Channel 4’s request for consent to broadcast exclusive live coverage of the Winter Paralympic Games in 2026 (“the Winter Paralympics”). The Winter Paralympics is due to take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from Friday 6 March to Sunday 15 March.

The Winter Paralympics is designated as a Group A listed event for the purposes of the Broadcasting Act 1996. Under the Act (as it currently has effect), Ofcom’s consent is needed for exclusive live coverage of listed events on linear broadcast services.

Channel 4 plans to broadcast live coverage of the Winter Paralympics on its main linear channel between approximately 08:00 and at least 13:00 on each day of the event, as well as broadcasting a nightly highlights programme.[1] It also intends to make available full live coverage of the Winter Paralympics via the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel, across up to eight streams. In addition, Channel 4 will broadcast live coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies on the main linear channel, and has announced that this will be simulcast on 4seven and Channel 4 Streaming with BSL and an open descriptive commentary.

Our consultation explained that we were minded to grant consent to Channel 4, subject to consideration of any responses. We did not receive any responses to our consultation.

We have decided to grant consent to Channel 4 to broadcast exclusive live coverage of the Winter Paralympics on its main channel and 4seven, noting that Channel 4’s coverage plans secure that the event will be available to view live and for free by audiences across the UK.

[1] Warner Bros. Discovery also plans to show daily highlights coverage of the Winter Paralympics on its TNT Sports channels and streamed through discovery+.