Paralympics appeal to over 11 million

A peak audience of 11.2 million watched last night’s Channel 4 coverage of the London 2012 Paralympic Games opening ceremony – the biggest Channel 4 audience in over 10 years.

The average audience across the four and a quarter hour show was 7.6 million, 40 percent share of the television audience.

This compares to a peak audience of 2.8 million for the Paralympics opening ceremony in Beijing in 2008.

Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer, Jay Hunt said: “Last night’s opening ceremony was a spectacular start to the London 2012 Paralympic Games and I’m delighted that so many viewers enjoyed it with us. It kicks off eleven days of great sporting coverage on Channel 4.”

Yesterday, before the opening event, the Paralympic torch swung by Channel 4’s HQ on Horseferry Road as the relay travelled across London ahead of the glittering opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

Preceded by a downpour of Biblical proportions, the flame nevertheless received a rousing welcome from hundreds of seriously bedraggled but hugely excited media-types.

The five torch-bearers had been nominated by Channel 4 to carry the flame on this leg of the journey.

Jackie Bullenis a voluntary press officer for Goalball and is also mum to women’s GB Goalball team member Georgie Bullen. Ben Harwood is a fully qualified strength and conditioning coach with considerable experience working in the field of disability sport. Stacey Burns is the Series Producer of Channel 4’s programme ‘Road to London 2012: That Paralympic Show‘. Heather Hodge is mother to ‘That Paralympic Show‘ biggest fan, 8 year old Billy. Billy, who is hemiplegic, made a video about Paralympic sport as part of a homework project and final Channel 4 torchbearer Jenny Archer is coach to ParalympicsGB wheelchair racer David Weir. Jenny met David at the London Youth Games and after following his career became his coach in 2002.