This is a very pre-internet mindset. People will eventually find out about the delayed coverage and probably complain about it on social media!
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You’re assuming there’s a demand to watch the Paralympic opening ceremony Live?
I’m only guessing here but the Paralympics Opening Ceremony on the main channel following the biggest show 7 has had in years is probably going to attract a larger audience than the broadcast on their secondary channel against their biggest show they’ve had in years. And nobody wants to start watching something mid way through.
A larger audience is not only beneficial for 7 but for the Paralympics, and Paralympians themselves.
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The 8:30pm AEST original start allowed for a half-hour preview/build-up before the Opening Ceremony begins at 9pm. Would guess Seven will now have a shorter build-up before showing the ceremony.
Why have a build up if it’ll make it even more delayed? This is shocking… I’ll just get a VPN and watch it via TVNZ
I have no knowledge of what Seven’s plans are (hence I said guess) - they could just go into the Opening Ceremony itself.
All we know is if you want to watch the ceremony ‘live’, Seven’s broadcast won’t be for you (using the word generally)
I hope Seven dont air the 30-minute build-up now, since the Ceremony is on delay. Id get straight into airing the Opening Ceremony the second The Voice finishes up.
I’m interested to know what benefit you’re going to get from seeing the ceremony live?
I understand if it were the competition itself, live sport is important.
And I understand if seven was showing the ceremony, for example - the next day, would be unacceptable.
But a 15 minute or even an hour delay is not going to make a huge difference. I maintain exposing the Paralympics opening ceremony to the main channel audience with the largest lead in 7 has had in years will be more beneficial than showing it live on a secondary channel.
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Further to this, a 7Plus Paralympics promo which ran during The Latest tonight promoted that the Opening Ceremony will air live on the service next Tuesday night from 9pm AEST.
At least this means those who want to watch the ceremony as it happens will have the option to do so.
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Couldn’t they bump Home and Away for the night and bring The Voice forward half an hour if it has to run for 105 minutes. That said even if delayed it does benefit the games to have the ceremony on Seven - basically a three hour advert for them.
As for the ads - what I’ve never understood is why the ceremonies don’t have slots built in for broadcasters to take ads in the way Eurovision does - content for those who don’t take a break but nothing really missed for those who do. There was the suggestion that Japan were more accomodating and that award to the Olympic banker felt very much like filler whilst the rest of the world went to ads, but I think that was the only bit that did really.
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Yeh. You can’t blame networks for wanting to get some ads away. The games cost a fortune to cover. You need to be able to make some money back.
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Update: Early morning session added to schedule from Saturday plus some coverage moved to 7Two to accommodate the AFL.
Friday 27 August
Sydney, Brisbane
10:00 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Morning Session - Day 3
12:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Day Session - Day 3
04:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Afternoon Session - Day 3
07:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Night Session - Day 3
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Night Session - Day 3
Melbourne
10:00 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Morning Session - Day 3
12:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Day Session - Day 3
04:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Afternoon Session - Day 3
07:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Night Session - Day 3
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Night Session - Day 3
Adelaide
09:30 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Morning Session - Day 3
12:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Day Session - Day 3
04:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Afternoon Session - Day 3
07:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Night Session - Day 2
10:00 PM - 11:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Night Session - Day 3
Perth
08:00 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Morning Session - Day 3
12:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Day Session - Day 3
04:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Afternoon Session - Day 3
05:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Night Session - Day 3
07:00 PM - 09:30 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Night Session - Day 3
Saturday 28 August
Sydney,Brisbane
07:25 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Early Morning - Day 4
10:00 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Morning Session - Day 4
12:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Afternoon Session - Day 4
04:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Afternoon Session - Day 4
07:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Night Session - Day 4
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Night Session - Day 4
Melbourne
07:25 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Early Morning - Day 4
10:00 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Morning Session - Day 4
12:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Afternoon Session - Day 4
04:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Afternoon Session - Day 4
07:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Night Session - Day 4
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Night Session - Day 4
Adelaide
06:55 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Early Morning - Day 4
09:30 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Morning Session - Day 4
11:30 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Afternoon Session - Day 4
03:30 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Afternoon Session - Day 4
06:30 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Night Session - Day 4
09:30 PM - 11:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Night Session - Day 4
Perth
05:25 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Early Morning - Day 4
06:00 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Early Morning - Day 4
08:00 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Morning Session - Day 4
10:00 AM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Afternoon Session - Day 4
02:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Afternoon Session - Day 4
05:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Night Session - Day 4
08:00 PM Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Late Night Session - Day 4
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Trailer for Rede Globo’s coverage in Brazil
If the AFL Final on this night turns out to be Sydney Swans v GWS Giants it would make sense for 7 to air it on the main channel in Sydney and Brisbane.
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Chris Stubbs is heading to Tokyo to cover the Paralympics for Seven
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Seven’s Paralympic Games
Seven’s Paralympic Games
The 16th Paralympic Games will be live on the Seven Network, with viewers set to enjoy unprecedented coverage of one of elite sport’s greatest events.
Starting with the Opening Ceremony on 24 August, Seven’s coverage will take fans inside the Paralympic Games like never before across 13 action-packed days.
From morning to midnight every day on Seven and 7plus, fans will be able to choose from an unprecedented offering of up to 16 live streams – all live, free and in HD.
Seven’s Tokyo 2020 coverage will be led by a world-class commentary team headlined by the biggest and best group of Paralympians ever assembled for an Australian broadcast.
Australian Paralympic legends Kurt Fearnley and Annabelle Williams will anchor Seven’s coverage, alongside Johanna Griggs, Matt White and Emma Vosti.
Our commentary line-up is headlined by Aussie Paralympic icon Priya Cooper, a nine-time swimming Gold medallist, and three-time athletics Gold winner Tim Matthews, who will bring rare insight to the competition at the pool and track respectively in Tokyo.
Joining them are Jessica Gallagher, the first Australian to win medals at both the Paralympic Games and Winter Paralympic Games, wheelchair basketball Gold medallist Nick Morris and dual wheelchair rugby silver medallist Bryce Alman.
Fans will also enjoy unparalleled inner-sanctum access to the Australian competitors in Tokyo, with Australian team co-captain and defending gold medallist Ryley Batt (wheelchair rugby) and Rio 2016 gold medallist Curtis McGrath (para-canoeing) both set to join Seven’s commentary team once they have finished competing.
Seven’s team of reporters on the ground in Tokyo will include another Australian Paralympic great Katrina Webb, who won three gold medals in athletics across three Paralympic Games. Webb will be joined by 7NEWS reporters Matthew Carmichael, Chris Stubbs, Blake Johnson and Joel Dry, who will ensure audiences are kept up to date with all the latest news, colour and atmosphere of the Games.
Some of Australia’s pre-eminent callers will also be part of the live and free coverage, with Matt Hill, David Culbert, Jason Bennett and Darren Boyd all set to bring the Tokyo 2020 competition to life as only they can.
Eighteen of the 22 Paralympic disciplines will be covered live, including all the sports Australia traditionally excels in – swimming, athletics, cycling, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby. For the first time, all these events will be live on 7plus.
With Tokyo in substantially the same time zone – Australia’s east coast is just one hour ahead – the stage is set perfectly for Australians to enjoy every moment of the Games’ 13 days, with all the biggest events poised to light up prime-time.
Viewers will wake up to all the latest Paralympic highlights, news and exclusive athlete interviews each day, with Australia’s #1 breakfast show Sunrise . Emma Vosti will then steer Seven’s morning broadcast before Paralympic Gold medallist Annabelle Williams and Matt White take the reins each afternoon.
Following 7NEWS live at 6.00 every night of the Games, one of Australia’s most respected and popular presenters, Johanna Griggs, will join forces with 13-time Paralympic medallist Kurt Fearnley to guide audiences through prime-time’s action-packed schedule of competition.
Sunrise is the only place to start your day during the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, with live competition and all the Paralympic highlights every morning. David Koch and Natalie Barr will also cross live to our team of reporters at the centre of all the action in Tokyo.
7NEWS , Australia’s official Paralympic news service, is the only network with unrestricted access to the Games and will have the biggest team on the ground in Tokyo, operating 24 hours a day from inside venues and alongside athletes, taking Australians into the inner sanctum.
And 7NEWS.com.au will be the #1 online destination for Paralympic news, updates and daily event schedules. The website will feature a dedicated hub for results and medal tallies, plus all the latest breaking news, video highlights, exclusive content, in-depth features and the greatest stories from the Games.
Australians will be able to keep up to date with all the latest news, the biggest and best moments, and exclusive content, on the 7Sport social channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Seven’s commentary line-up also includes the biggest-ever Paralympic Host Broadcasting Service of international callers and experts.
7plus: Your 7Paralympics Hub
Seven West Media has unveiled the most advanced digital product in Australian viewing history to deliver the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 to all screens live and free from 24 August.
For the first time in Australian Paralympics history, there will be one destination to watch the medals, the records and the inspiring moments from the Games.
Seven will deliver its exclusive digital experience across 16 live streams, the most live streams ever hosted by an Australian broadcaster for a Paralympic Games.
Extending across Seven’s entire digital ecosystem including 7plus, 7NEWS. com.au and The West Australian, over 10,000 minutes will be streamed across the 13-day period, with three modes of viewing: live, full replay and short-form highlights.
The broadcast will feature a consistent experience across 20 different platforms allowing Australians to stream across any device of their choosing, and live EPG integration to ensure they never miss a moment.
7plus features:
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Watchlist: Provides users with the ability to add their favourite sport to an easily discoverable watchlist, allowing them to watch the event at their own convenience.
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Continue Watching: This gives signed-in users the ability to watch a sport full replay and pick up where they left off via the continue watching carousel located on their home screen.
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Captions: Live and VOD (including multilingual): To provide the ultimate accessible viewing experience for all our users, it’s important to provide captioning to ensure as many users as possible can watch their favourite sports, events and highlights.
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Autoplay: The autoplay functionality provides viewers with a simple way to binge multiple event replays and highlights without needing to lift a finger. It simply plays the next relevant piece of content.
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Chromecast and Airplay: As most people own multiple devices, including smart TVs and mobile phones, it’s becoming ever more important to provide a streaming service that supports this behaviour. The 7plus app will allow users to either Chromecast or Airplay content to their Chromecast or Airplay compatible device. This allows users to stream Tokyo 2020 on 7plus no matter the age of their television device.
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HD/SD selector: The 7plus player provides users with the ability to toggle between HD/SD to allow for the best and most data efficient streaming.
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Freeze Frame: A select, scaled range of devices have been enabled with Freeze Frame ads that appear as an overlay whenever a user pauses the content.
Australians will be able to keep up to date with all the latest news, the biggest and best moments, and exclusive content, on the 7Sport social channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
A message from Lewis Martin, Head of Network Sport
The Paralympic Games is one of international sport’s greatest events, and the Seven Network will proudly bring Australian viewers the biggest and best Paralympic coverage ever for Tokyo 2020.
Across 13 unmissable days starting with the Opening Ceremony on 24 August, fans will be able to choose from an unprecedented offering of up to 16 live streams on Seven and 7plus.
Seven’s commentary team will also boast the greatest number of Paralympians ever assembled for an Australian broadcast, making up half of Seven’s on-air line-up for Tokyo 2020.
This stellar group includes Paralympic greats Kurt Fearnley, Annabelle Williams, Katrina Webb, Priya Cooper, Tim Matthews, Jessica Gallagher, Nick Morris and Bryce Alman, along with current Paralympians Ryley Batt and Curtis McGrath.
With a remarkable 23 Paralympic Gold medals between them, they will bring unrivalled experience, knowledge and understanding to Seven’s coverage.
They will be joined by one of Australia’s most loved and respected hosts, Johanna Griggs, together with leading sport presenters Matt White and Emma Vosti, pre-eminent callers Matt Hill, David Culbert, Jason Bennett and Darren Boyd, and a dedicated team of reporters in Tokyo, who will bring viewers all the latest news, colour and excitement of the Games.
On the back of an extraordinary Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, where Australia matched its greatest ever tally of 17 Gold medals, we will cheer on our Paralympic team as it bids to top the 22 Golds it won at Rio 2016.
Seven’s unbeatable team will take you inside all the big moments and bring to life all the great stories, as our inspirational Paralympians boldly chase their sporting dreams.
Tokyo 2020 will be a momentous occasion you never forget. The only place you can watch all the history-making action live and free is Seven, Australia’s Home of the Paralympics
Seven’s Tokyo 2020 Host & Commentary Team
Hosts
Johanna Griggs
Johanna represented Australia in swimming at the Auckland 1990 Commonwealth Games, winning bronze in the 100m backstroke, before she went on to become one of the most popular television personalities on Australian screens. Johanna has been part of Seven’s coverage of most major sporting events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, tennis and horse racing, as well as hosting top-rating programs Better Homes and Gardens and House Rules . During the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, Johanna will team up with Paralympics legend Kurt Fearnley to host Seven’s prime-time coverage, which will include athletics, swimming and track cycling finals, while she will also anchor coverage of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Social – Twitter: @JohGriggs7; Instagram: johgriggs7
Annabelle Williams
During her competitive career, Annie captained the Australian Paralympic swim team, broke five world records and won numerous medals for Australia, including Gold at the Paralympic Games London 2012. Her efforts in the pool were recognised with an Order of Australia Medal in 2014, while her achievements post swimming are just as impressive. An accomplished sport broadcaster, international keynote speaker and former corporate lawyer, Annie will bring a strong voice to Seven’s Paralympics coverage. Having co-hosted Seven’s Rio 2016 coverage, Annie will anchor the afternoon timeslot alongside Matt White during Tokyo 2020.
Social – Twitter: @anniejowilliams; Instagram: anniejwilliams
Kurt Fearnley
One of Australia’s greatest ever sporting stars, Kurt enjoyed a glittering wheelchair racing career, winning 13 medals, including three Gold, across five Paralympic Games in events ranging from the 100m relay to the marathon. The rare talent, grit and sportsmanship he displayed over two decades have made him an Australian sporting icon. At the first Paralympic Games since his retirement in 2018, Kurt is an outstanding addition to Seven’s Tokyo 2020 commentary team. As co-host of the prime-time coverage alongside Johanna Griggs, Kurt will bring a wealth of knowledge to an action-packed competition schedule that includes all the athletics finals.
Social – Twitter: @kurtfearnley; Instagram: kurtfearnleyinsta
Matt White
One of Australia’s most respected and versatile sport broadcasters, Matt has more than 30 years’ experience as a host, commentator and reporter across major events including the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, AFL, Supercars, Spring Racing Carnival, Australian Open tennis and Australian Grand Prix. Matt will co-host Seven’s afternoon coverage of Tokyo 2020 alongside Paralympic icon Annabelle Williams.
Social – Twitter: @MattWhite_TV; Instagram: mattwhite_tv
Emma Vosti
An accomplished presenter, reporter and producer, Emma’s versatility has placed her in front of the camera and behind the scenes at some of the world’s major sporting events, including the Paralympic Games, Winter Olympic Games, Australian Open tennis, Spring Racing Carnival and Test cricket. As host of Seven’s morning coverage of the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, Emma’s warmth as a storyteller will help amplify the amazing stories that unfold over the 12 days of competition.
Social – Twitter: @emmavosti; Instagram: emmavosti
Commentators
Priya Cooper
One of our most successful Paralympians ever, Priya won nine Gold medals in swimming across the Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Games. Her expertise will be invaluable as she calls all the action in the pool in Tokyo, with the Aussie team again expected to make a big splash.
Tim Matthews
A three-time Paralympic Gold medallist in athletics, Tim represented Australia with distinction at Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. Tim’s outstanding career has been recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia and Australian Sports Medal. Tim joins Seven’s Tokyo 2020 coverage to provide expert commentary of the athletics.
Social – Twitter: @Lefty1086
Jessica Gallagher
The first Australian to win medals at both the Paralympic Games and Winter Paralympic Games, Jessica has represented Australia in skiing, athletics and cycling. Jessica won Bronze medals in the slalom (Vancouver 2010) and giant slalom (Sochi 2014) at the Winter Paralympic Games, and a Bronze medal in the track cycling 1000m time trial at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. During Tokyo 2020, Jessica will commentate on the cycling for Seven.
Social – Twitter: @JessGallagher86; Instagram: jessgallagher86
Nick Morris
Nick was a member of the Australian wheelchair basketball team that won the Gold medal at the Paralympic Games Atlanta 1996, before finishing fifth at Sydney 2000. Nick received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1997 and an Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for his outstanding service to the Paralympic movement. Nick will commentate on the wheelchair basketball during Tokyo 2020 as the Australian team bids to win its third Paralympic Gold medal.
Bryce Alman
Bryce represented Australia at three Paralympic Games in wheelchair rugby from 2000- 2008, winning Silver medals at Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008. Bryce joins Seven’s team as an expert commentator on the wheelchair rugby, with the Australian Steelers striving to win a third consecutive Paralympic Gold medal at Tokyo 2020.
Social – Instagram: brycealman
Matt Hill
A leading Australian race caller and sport broadcaster, Matt is recognised throughout the sporting industry for his flair, commitment and accuracy, while his extensive experience extends to sports including horse racing, tennis, AFL, the Olympic Games and more. During Tokyo 2020, Matt will be an integral member of Seven’s Paralympic commentary team, bringing viewers all the excitement, drama and colour as he calls our Aussie team members in action.
David Culbert
A long jump finalist at the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992 and dual Silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games, David has since established himself as a renowned Olympic and Paralympic Games broadcaster. During Tokyo 2020, he will provide expert athletics commentary.
Social – Twitter: @Culbert_Report; Instagram: culbert_report
Jason Bennett
Jason is an award-winning sport broadcaster, who was an AFL commentator from 2002 to 2006 before embarking on an international posting with ESPN and its popular program Aussies Abroad . A highly respected member of Seven’s football commentary team since 2015, Jason joins our Paralympic commentary line-up for Tokyo 2020 to call sports including wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball.
Twitter : @JasonBennettTV Instagram : jasonbennetttv
Darren Boyd
Darren has nearly 20 years’ experience in sport broadcasting and returns to Seven’s Paralympic commentary team for Tokyo 2020, having been a key part of the network’s Rio 2016 coverage.
Social – Twitter: @darrenboyd01
Tokyo reporters
Matthew Carmichael
Matt has vast experience as a sport reporter and host and is currently 7NEWS sport editor. An integral member of Seven’s Paralympic commentary team at Rio 2016, Matt will hit the ground running in Tokyo, where he will cover the athletics and Australia’s wheelchair rugby team as it aims for a remarkable Gold medal three-peat.
Social – Twitter: @MattCarmichael; Instagram: matthewcarmichael
Katrina Webb
Katrina joins Seven’s Tokyo reporting team as a three-time Paralympic Gold medallist, having represented Australia at the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games. Her vast Paralympic experience includes being the first torch bearer to enter the Olympic Stadium at the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games Sydney 2000. Katrina will bring fans all the action from the pool in Tokyo.
Social – Twitter: KatrinaLWebb; Instagram: katrina_l_webb
Chris Stubbs
Chris is a highly respected sport host and reporter with more than 15 years’ experience covering some of the world’s biggest events, including the Olympic Games, Winter Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, AFL Grand Final, President’s Cup and World Superbikes. At Seven, Chris is a sport reporter with 7NEWS and a host on the network’s motorsport coverage. For the Paralympic Games, he is joining our Tokyo reporting team to cover all the track and road cycling, while he will also team up with Australian Paralympic team member Ryley Batt to cover the wheelchair basketball.
Social – Twitter: @ChrisKStubbs; Instagram: stubbs_chris
Blake Johnson
Blake is covering all the Tokyo action for 7NEWS and will deliver the latest stories on our athletes and medal chances. He will be reporting on a host of sports, including wheelchair basketball, canoeing and the triathlon.
Social – Twitter: @BlakeJohnson; Instagram: blakej_7
Joel Dry
Joel is another key member of our 7NEWS team on the ground in Tokyo, where he will keep viewers across all the breaking stories, while covering Paralympic competition including the rowing, equestrian and boccia.
Social – Twitter: @JoelDry7; Instagram: joeldry
Tokyo athlete reporters
Ryley Batt
Ryley is competing at his fourth Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020, where he is aiming to lead the Australian wheelchair rugby team to its – and his – third straight Gold medal.
Named as co-captain of the Australian team for Tokyo 2020, Ryley will join our Tokyo reporting team to cover the wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis once he’s completed his competitive duties at the wheelchair rugby.
Social – Twitter: @RyleyBatt; Instagram: ryleybatt
Curtis McGrath
At Tokyo 2020, Curtis is bidding to defend his Rio 2016 Gold medal in the KL2 canoeing. A multiple world champion, Curtis brings rare determination and devotion to his sport. Once he has completed his event in Tokyo, Curtis will join our commentary team to provide his unique insight into the Paralympic Games.
Social – Twitter: @CurtMcGrath; Instagram: curtmcgrath
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Good to see Matt White back on TV
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Good idea separating the Paralympics from the Olympics.
Glad that both Johanna Griggs and Kurt Fearnley are hosting the prime-time coverage. Hope they have good chemistry between the two.
Good to see Matt White back on our screens. He will be hosting the afternoon slots alongside former Paralympian Annabelle Williams.
Emma Vosti is hosting the morning session. I dont know much of her, unfortunately, but good luck.
A pretty good team overall.
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