NBCUniversal’s Coverage of 2022 Paralympic Winter Games Reaches Nearly 12 Million Total Viewers Across Multiple Platforms

Average Viewership for Beijing 2022 Paralympics is Up 62% vs. PyeongChang 2018

NBC Primetime Coverage Delivers 3 Most-Watched Winter Paralympic Programs in U.S. History

Beijing 2022 is Most-Streamed Paralympics Ever

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 16, 2022 – The 2022 Beijing Paralympics is the most-viewed Winter Paralympics in U.S. history, reaching nearly 12 million viewers across multiple NBCUniversal platforms – NBC, USA Network, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, Peacock, NBCParalympics.com and the NBC Sports app. The 11.9 million total viewers is up 107% compared to the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympics.

NBCU presented an unprecedented 200+ hours of coverage of the 2022 Winter Paralympics, including a record 120 hours of television programming, as well as comprehensive streaming on Peacock for the first time. For the third consecutive Games, NBCU’s Paralympics coverage was presented by Toyota.

This year’s Paralympic Winter Games, which took place from March 4-13 in Beijing, China, averaged 165,000 TV-only viewers across NBC and USA Network, up 62% vs. PyeongChang 2018 (102,000 viewers on NBC/NBCSN). Most live coverage took place overnight due to the 13-hour time difference between Beijing and the U.S. east coast.

In a first for a Winter Paralympics, the NBC broadcast network hosted coverage in primetime, resulting in the three most-watched Winter Paralympic programs in U.S. history. On Friday, March 11, primetime coverage on NBC averaged 1.34 million TV-only viewers, a Winter Paralympics record in the U.S.

Following are the Top 10 markets for NBC’s three primetime Paralympic Winter Games telecasts:

Overall, six NBC telecasts (three primetime; three afternoon) averaged 919,000 TV-only viewers, up 22% compared to two NBC afternoon telecasts for PyeongChang 2018.

Beijing 2022 is also the most-streamed Paralympics in U.S. history, including Summer Games, totaling 19.3 million minutes on Peacock, NBCParalympics.com and the NBC Sports app.

Viewership data is provided by Nielsen (television) and Adobe Analytics (streaming).

–WINTER PARALYMPICS–

U.S. vs. China in Sled Hockey Semifinal – Live Tomorrow at 7 a.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock

Maria Taylor Hosts Two Paralympic Winter Games Primetime Shows on NBC Tomorrow and Saturday at 8 p.m. ET

Live Coverage of Closing Ceremony Begins Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock

Peacock to Live Stream All NBCUniversal Coverage of the Winter Paralympics

Latest Paralympics Podcast The Podium Episode Featuring Oksana Masters and Kendall Gretsch Available Now

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 10, 2022 – Competition coverage of the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games from Beijing, China, continues with the men’s and women’s sitting 12.5km biathlon, which will feature 14-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters, tonight at 11 p.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock. NBCU’s Paralympics coverage is presented by Toyota.

The three-time defending gold medalist U.S. sled hockey team, featuring Rico Roman, Declan Farmer, and Jen Lee, faces China in the semifinals live tomorrow at 7 a.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock. The sled hockey gold medal game will take place live this Saturday at 11 p.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock.

Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA and Peacock will present live coverage of the wheelchair curling semifinals tonight at 10:30 p.m. PT/1:30 a.m. ET.

Maria Taylor hosts two programs in primetime tomorrow and Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. The programs will focus on athlete and team profiles, interviews and competition from the Games. Featured athletes and teams include Mike Schultz (snowboarding), Brittani Coury (snowboarding), Dan Cnossen (alpine skiing), Kendall Gretsch (cross-country skiing; biathlon), Oksana Masters, and the three-time defending gold medal-winning U.S. sled hockey team. This is the first time there has ever been Winter Paralympics primetime coverage on the broadcast network. A one-hour daytime Winter Paralympics show will air this Saturday at noon ET on NBC and Peacock.

Live coverage of the Closing Ceremony will be presented this Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock. Ahmed Fareed and 13-time Paralympic medalist and Paralympic Hall of Fame member Chris Waddell will host coverage of the Closing Ceremony, while five-time Paralympic medalist Mallory Weggemann will contribute to the program. The Closing Ceremony will celebrate the accomplishments and highlights of the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, including athlete interviews, profiles and more.

NBC Olympics’ podcast The Podium continues during the Winter Paralympics with an inside-the-scenes look at the Games with Paralympians. Mallory Weggemann serves as host and is joined in the latest episode by 14-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters and five-time Paralympic medalist Kendall Gretsch, who discuss competing in both the Winter and Summer Paralympics and is available now here. Three additional episodes will be released through the end of the Games.

NBCU’s unprecedented coverage of the Paralympic Winter Games includes:

• 230+ hours of programming, including a record 120 hours of television coverage;
• Seven total hours on the NBC broadcast network, including three in primetime, a first for a Winter Paralympics;
• Similar to the Beijing Olympics, comprehensive live competition streaming coverage on Peacock as well as NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app via authentication.

Click here for more details.

Below is NBCUniversal’s upcoming 2022 Paralympic Winter Games programming schedule (subject to change, all times ET):

*Encore

The most up-to-date Paralympics listings are available here. A complete archive of 2022 Winter Paralympics press releases can be found here.

–WINTER PARALYMPICS–

Live Men’s and Women’s Sprint Sitting 6km Biathlon Coverage Begins Tonight at 9 p.m. ET Followed by USA-Canada Sled Hockey Matchup at 12:05 am ET on USA Network and Peacock

Maria Taylor Hosts First-Ever Paralympic Winter Games Primetime Show on NBC Airing Tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET

Peacock to Live Stream All NBCUniversal Coverage of the Winter Paralympics

First Episode of Paralympics Podcast The Podium Available Tonight

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 4, 2022 – Live competition coverage of the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games from Beijing, China, gets underway with the men’s and women’s sprint sitting 6km biathlon this evening at 9 p.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock. NBCU’s Paralympics coverage will once again be presented by Toyota and will be hosted by NBC Sports’ Ahmed Fareed and Corey Robinson.

In addition to live biathlon coverage, USA Network, which debuts as the cable home of the Winter Paralympics with more than 70 hours of coverage, will present a rematch of the 2018 gold medal sled hockey game between the U.S. and Canada later in the evening at 9:05 p.m. PT/12:05 a.m. ET as Team USA looks to defend its gold medal.

Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA and Peacock will present live coverage of the U.S. vs. Slovakia wheelchair curling pool play matchup tonight at 10:30 p.m. PT/1:30 a.m. ET.

Three NBC primetime shows will air throughout the Games — the first-ever Winter Paralympics primetime coverage to air on the broadcast network — beginning tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET. Maria Taylor will host the one-hour programs, which will focus on athlete and team profiles, interviews and competition from the Games. The second and third primetime shows will air at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 11, and at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 12. Featured athletes and teams include five-time Paralympian and 10-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters (cross-country skiing, biathlon) and the three-time defending gold medal-winning U.S. sled hockey team, among others. Taylor hosted Primetime Plus programs for the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.

A two-hour daytime Winter Paralympics program will air this Sunday at noon ET on NBC and Peacock.

NBC Olympics’ podcast The Podium continues during the Winter Paralympics with an inside-the-scenes look at the Games with Paralympians. Five-time Paralympic medalist Mallory Weggemann serves as host of the six-episode series. The first episode featuring 2018 Paralympian Thomas Walsh (alpine skiing) will be available tonight here.

Team USA is expected to feature a number of medal contenders, including five-time Paralympian and 10-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters (cross-country skiing, biathlon); two-time Paralympic medalist, including a gold, Andrew Kurka (alpine skiing); two-time Paralympian and three-time Paralympic gold medalist Kendall Gretsch (cross-country skiing, biathlon); 2018 Paralympian Thomas Walsh (alpine skiing); and two-time Paralympic medalist, including a gold, Mike Schultz (snowboarding). The U.S. is also expected to challenge for medals in team sports and returns many members of the 2018 gold medal-winning sled hockey team, including Rico Roman, Declan Farmer, and Jen Lee.

NBCU’s unprecedented coverage of the Paralympic Winter Games will include:

• 230+ hours of programming, including a record 120 hours of television coverage;
• Seven total hours on the NBC broadcast network, including three in primetime, a first for a Winter Paralympics;
• Similar to the Beijing Olympics, comprehensive live competition streaming coverage on Peacock as well as NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app via authentication.

Click here for more details.

Below is NBCUniversal’s upcoming 2022 Paralympic Winter Games programming schedule (subject to change, all times ET):

*Encore

The most up-to-date Paralympics listings are available here. A complete archive of 2022 Winter Paralympics press releases can be found here.

–WINTER PARALYMPICS–

Ahmed Fareed and 13-Time Paralympic Medalist Chris Waddell to Anchor Opening Ceremony Coverage

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 3, 2022 – Mike Tirico will host a special 30-minute 2022 Paralympic Winter Games preview show tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock, leading into live coverage of the Opening Ceremony at 7 a.m. ET.

The program, marking the first-ever pre-Opening Ceremony show for the Paralympics, will introduce viewers to the upcoming competition with a special focus on Team USA and the significance of the Paralympic movement while addressing the complicated global issues facing the Games. Five-time Paralympic medalist Mallory Weggemann will contribute to the show. Tirico will make his Paralympic debut after serving as the host of NBC’s primetime Olympic show since the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.

Ahmed Fareed will host coverage of the Opening Ceremony with 13-time Paralympic medalist and Paralympic Hall of Fame member Chris Waddell. During the Paralympic Games, Fareed will reprise his hosting role for the second consecutive Games and Waddell will serve as an alpine skiing analyst and studio contributor.

The Opening Ceremony will feature performances, pageantry and the Parade of Nations. Carolyn Manno will provide on-site reports from Beijing. Three-time Paralympic medalist Danelle Umstead and three-time Paralympian Tyler Carter will serve as Team USA’s flag bearers.

As previously announced, NBCUniversal’s Paralympic Games coverage, which will once again be presented by Toyota, will feature a record 120 hours on television; seven total hours on the NBC broadcast network, including three in primetime, a first for a Winter Paralympics; similar to the Beijing Olympics, coverage of all events and competition streamed on Peacock; live coverage of the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony on USA Network and Peacock; comprehensive live streaming coverage on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app via authentication; and an advertiser roster of 30+ companies.

A complete archive of 2022 Winter Paralympics press releases can be found here.

–WINTER PARALYMPICS–

230+ Hours of Paralympic Programming from Beijing, Including Record 120 Hours of Television Coverage, and First-Ever Winter Paralympics Primetime Coverage on NBC

Live Competition Coverage on USA Network and Peacock Begins Friday at 9 p.m. ET

Peacock to Live Stream All NBCUniversal Coverage of the Winter Paralympics

Commentator Roster of 17 to Anchor Coverage Across NBCUniversal; Team NBC has Won 30 Paralympic Medals

STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 28, 2022 – NBCUniversal will begin its presentation of the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games from Beijing, China, with a 30-minute preview show this Friday, March 4, at 6:30 a.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock followed by live coverage of the Opening Ceremony at 7 a.m. ET. Once again, NBCU’s Paralympics coverage will be presented by Toyota.

NBCU’s unprecedented coverage of the Paralympic Winter Games will include:

• 230+ hours of programming, including a record 120 hours of television coverage;
• Seven total hours on the NBC broadcast network, including three in primetime, a first for a Winter Paralympics;
• Similar to the Beijing Olympics, coverage of all events and competition on Peacock;
• Live coverage of the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony on USA Network and Peacock;
• Comprehensive live streaming coverage on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app via authentication.

Click here for more details.

Programming highlights include:

• USA Network and Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA will present daily 2022 Paralympic Winter Games coverage, including in primetime (excluding Sunday, March 13). USA Network, which debuts as the cable home of the Winter Paralympics with more than 70 hours of coverage, will present live coverage of the Opening Ceremony this Friday, March 4 at 6:30 a.m. ET, and live coverage of the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, March 13 at 7:30 a.m. ET.
• Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA will present more than 40 hours of coverage, primarily focusing on wheelchair curling. The wheelchair curling semifinals, bronze medal and gold medal games will all be presented live on the network.
• Seven hours of coverage will air on NBC, including three in primetime, a Winter Paralympics first.
• All of NBCUniversal’s 2022 Paralympic Winter Games coverage, totaling more than 230 hours, will stream live on Peacock. To learn more about how to stream the Winter Paralympics on Peacock, click here.
• Comprehensive live streaming coverage of television coverage will be available on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app via authentication. Additional exclusive live coverage of alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, sled hockey, snowboarding, and wheelchair curling will stream on NBC Olympics digital platforms.
• Accessibility features for all television coverage includes closed captioning (CC) and audio description (AD) to assist viewers in experiencing the accomplishments and stories of the Paralympic athletes. Digital content accessibility features include keyboard navigation, color contrast and support for screen readers. Click here for more details.

The 17 commentators who will anchor NBCU’s record coverage features hosts Ahmed Fareed and Corey Robinson, a collection of veteran play-by-play commentators, on-site reporters Lewis Johnson, Andrea Joyce, and Carolyn Manno as well as four analysts and three studio contributors with Paralympic experience. Collectively, the commentator roster has won 30 Paralympic medals, including 13 gold medals. Click here for the full commentator roster.

Team USA is expected to feature a number of medal contenders, including five-time Paralympian and 10-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters (cross-country skiing, biathlon); two-time Paralympic medalist, including a gold, Andrew Kurka (alpine skiing); two-time Paralympian and three-time Paralympic gold medalist Kendall Gretsch (cross-country skiing, biathlon); 2018 Paralympian Thomas Walsh (alpine skiing); and two-time Paralympic medalist, including a gold, Mike Schultz (snowboarding). The U.S. is also expected to challenge for medals in team sports and returns many members of the 2018 gold medal-winning sled hockey team, including Rico Roman, Declan Farmer, and Jen Lee.

Below is NBCUniversal’s 2022 Paralympic Winter Games programming schedule (subject to change, all times ET):

*Encore

A complete archive of 2022 Winter Paralympics press releases can be found here.

–WINTER PARALYMPICS–

Commentator Roster of 17 to Anchor 230+ Hours of Paralympic Programming, Including Record 120 Hours of Television Coverage, and First-Ever Primetime Coverage on NBC for a Winter Paralympics

Ahmed Fareed and Corey Robinson to Host NBCU’s Paralympic Games Coverage Beginning in One Week

Opening Ceremony of 2022 Paralympic Winter Games is in One Week on Friday, March 4 Live at 6:30 a.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock

STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 25, 2022 – With only one week until the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games on Friday, March 4, NBCUniversal today announced the 17 commentators who will anchor its record 230+ hours of programming.

Ahmed Fareed and Corey Robinson will serve as hosts of NBCU’s Paralympics coverage. Fareed reprises his hosting role for the second consecutive Games, while Robinson will make his Paralympics hosting debut after serving as a studio contributor for the Tokyo Paralympics. Fareed and Robinson will be joined by 15 play-by-play commentators, analysts and reporters. In total, Team NBC has won 30 Paralympic medals, including 13 gold medals.

As previously announced, NBCUniversal’s Paralympic Games coverage, which will once again be presented by Toyota, will feature a record 120 hours on television; seven total hours on the NBC broadcast network, including three in primetime, a first for a Winter Paralympics; similar to the Beijing Olympics, coverage of all events and competition streamed on Peacock; live coverage of the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony on USA Network; comprehensive live streaming coverage on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app via authentication; and an advertiser roster of 30+ companies.

Following is a breakdown of commentators for the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games:

ALPINE SKIING: Steve Schlanger will serve as the play-by-play commentator for alpine skiing in his fourth Paralympic Games assignment. 13-time Paralympic medalist and Paralympic Hall of Fame member Chris Waddell reprises his alpine skiing analyst role. Andrea Joyce will make her Paralympic Games reporting debut on-site in Beijing.

BIATHLON & CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Bill Spaulding makes his Winter Paralympics play-by-play debut after making his Paralympics play-by-play commentator debut calling track-and-field during the Tokyo Paralympics. Chad Salmela, after serving as a biathlon and cross-country analyst during the 2022 Winter Olympics, will make his Paralympics analyst debut. Lewis Johnson returns for his fifth consecutive Paralympics assignment as an on-site reporter for biathlon and cross-country skiing.

SLED HOCKEY: Chris Vosters will serve as play-by-play commentator for sled hockey in his second Paralympic Games assignment alongside two-time Paralympic sled hockey gold medalist Taylor Lipsett as analyst in his second Paralympics assignment. Carolyn Manno will serve as an on-site sled hockey reporter.

SNOWBOARDING: After serving as the play-by-play voice for freestyle skiing at the Beijing Olympics, Trace Worthington will make his Paralympic Games debut as the play-by-play commentator for snowboarding. Three-time Paralympic medalist Amy Purdy will make her snowboarding analyst debut. Andrea Joyce will provide on-site reports.

WHEELCHAIR CURLING: Jim Kozimor makes his Paralympics Games play-by-play debut after serving as a curling play-by-play commentator during the 2022 Winter Olympics. 2018 Paralympian Justin Marshall will make his Paralympic debut as a wheelchair curling analyst.

STUDIO CONTRIBUTORS: In their second Paralympics assignments, five-time Paralympic medalist, including three golds, Mallory Weggemann, and six-time Paralympic medalist, including three golds, Alana Nichols, will serve as contributors to studio coverage. Weggemann will also host The Podium podcast. In addition to his alpine skiing analyst role, Chris Waddell will also contribute to studio coverage during the Games.

SPORT-BY-SPORT RUNDOWN

ALPINE SKIING:
Steve Schlanger, Play-by-Play
Chris Waddell, Analyst
Andrea Joyce, Reporter

BIATHLON & CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING:
Bill Spaulding, Play-by-Play
Chad Salmela, Analyst
Lewis Johnson, Reporter

SLED HOCKEY:
Chris Vosters, Play-by-Play
Taylor Lipsett, Analyst
Carolyn Manno, Reporter

SNOWBOARDING:
Trace Worthington, Play-by-Play
Amy Purdy, Analyst
Andrea Joyce, Reporter

WHEELCHAIR CURLING:
Jim Kozimor, Play-by-Play
Justin Marshall, Analyst

STUDIO CONTRIBUTORS:
Mallory Weggemann (studio and The Podium podcast host)
Alana Nichols (studio)
Chris Waddell (studio)

A complete archive of 2022 Winter Paralympics press releases can be found here.

–WINTER PARALYMPICS–

• 230+ Hours of Winter Paralympic Programming Features Record 120 Hours of Television Coverage

• First-Ever Paralympic Winter Games Primetime Coverage on NBC & Record Paralympic Broadcast TV Coverage

• Peacock to Live Stream All NBCUniversal Coverage of Paralympic Winter Games

• Live Coverage of Opening and Closing Ceremonies on USA Network

• NBCOlympics.com and NBC Sports App to Provide Live Comprehensive Streaming Coverage via Authentication

• Extensive Athlete Profiles and Interviews Featured Across Linear, Digital and Social Media Platforms

• Toyota Returns as Presenting Sponsor of NBCU’s Paralympic Coverage; Paralympic Advertiser Roster Grows from 5 to 30+

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 28, 2022 – Beginning five weeks from today, NBCUniversal will present 230+ hours of Paralympic Winter Games programming, including a record 120 hours of television coverage, for the 2022 Paralympics from Beijing, China, taking place March 4-13, across NBC, Peacock, USA Network, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app. In addition to record programming, the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics will also feature unprecedented promotion and advertising support.

In its most ambitious effort ever for a Winter Paralympics, NBCU’s coverage, which will once again be presented by Toyota, will feature a record 120 hours of television coverage; seven total hours on the NBC broadcast network, including three in primetime, a first for a Winter Paralympics; similar to the Beijing Olympics, coverage of all events and competition on Peacock; live coverage of the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony on USA Network; and comprehensive live streaming coverage on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app via authentication, including all television coverage as well as exclusive coverage of alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, sled hockey, snowboarding, and wheelchair curling.

In addition to being the presenting sponsor of NBCUniversal’s Paralympic Games coverage for the third consecutive Games, Toyota will be the exclusive auto advertiser across all linear and digital coverage of the Beijing Winter Paralympics. Also supporting the athletes of Team USA will be 30+ companies, many of whom are advertising in the Paralympics for the very first time.

Similar to the Tokyo Paralympics, primetime broadcasts on NBC will feature the top stories and moments of the Paralympics with a special focus on the athletes of Team USA. The first primetime broadcast will set the stage for the Games, with the following broadcasts featuring NBC Sports’ award-winning storytellers taking viewers inside the Winter Paralympics like never before with athlete profiles, interviews and competition footage.

Programming highlights also include:

• All of NBCUniversal’s 2022 Paralympic Winter Games coverage, totaling more than 230 hours, will stream live on Peacock. The service’s premium tier will serve as the streaming home of the Winter Paralympics. Click here to learn more and sign up.
• On cable, USA Network and Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA will present daily 2022 Paralympic Winter Games coverage throughout the day, including in primetime (excluding Sunday, March 13). USA Network, which debuts as the cable home of the Winter Paralympics with more than 70 hours, will present live coverage of the Opening Ceremony on Friday, March 4, and live coverage of the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, March 13.
• com and the NBC Sports app will live stream all of NBCUniversal’s Winter Paralympics coverage across desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs for authenticated users.
• Accessibility features for all television coverage include closed captioning (CC) and audio description (AD) to assist viewers in experiencing the accomplishments and stories of the Paralympic athletes. Digital content accessibility features include keyboard navigation, color contrast and support for screen readers.
• Additional programming details will be announced at a later date.

NBCUniversal’s extensive promotion leading up to the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games has been highlighted by:

• “Get to Know Team USA” takeovers of NBC Olympics and On Her Turf social platforms, featuring five-time Paralympian and 10-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters (cross-country skiing, biathlon), Danielle ‘Dani’ Aravich (Nordic skiing), and 2018 Paralympian Thomas Walsh (alpine skiing). Walsh was part of a special moment with four-time Olympian Steven Nyman during a Birds of Prey telecast in December when they exchanged racing bibs.
• Athlete interviews across NBC affiliate stations, including with two-time Paralympic gold medalist Jen Lee (sled hockey) and 2018 Paralympic gold medalist Andrew Kurka (alpine skiing).
• Appearance on NBC News’ TODAY last week by two-time Paralympic medalist Mike Schultz (snowboarding) about his athletic journey and training ahead of the Beijing Winter Paralympics.

Additional promotion for the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will occur during NBCUniversal’s coverage of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and in the weeks between the Olympics and Paralympics.

Team USA is expected to feature a number of medal contenders, including five-time Paralympian and 10-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters (cross-country skiing, biathlon); two-time Paralympic medalist, including a gold, Andrew Kurka (alpine skiing); two-time Paralympian and three-time Paralympic gold medalist Kendall Gretsch (cross-country skiing, biathlon); 2018 Paralympian Thomas Walsh (alpine skiing); and two-time Paralympic medalist, including a gold, Mike Schultz (snowboarding). The U.S. is also expected to challenge for medals in team sports and returns many members of the 2018 gold medal-winning sled hockey team, including Rico Roman, Josh Pauls, and Jen Lee.

NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Tokyo Paralympics just four months ago generated numerous viewership milestones, including the two most-watched Paralympic Games telecasts on record in the U.S. Coverage collectively reached 14.1 million viewers, setting a new Paralympics Games record and marking an increase of 81% vs. the Rio Paralympics in 2016 (7.8 million). Click here for details.

“Just off the massive success of the Tokyo Paralympics, we are committed to growing our Paralympics coverage across our platforms and bringing the extraordinary achievements of Para Winter Games athletes to the American audience,” said Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics. “In partnership with Toyota and our record roster of 30-plus advertisers, the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will mark new heights in our coverage and storytelling.”

“We’re ecstatic to see NBC and Toyota’s continued commitment to bringing great Team USA performances and the excitement of the Paralympic Games into American homes,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “Showcasing the stories of our winter Paralympic athletes living out their dreams is integral to continuing momentum to our shared goal of increasing Para awareness and inclusion.”

“This is a game-changer for winter Paralympic sports in America,” said 10-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters. “As an athlete and advocate for the Paralympic Movement, the more we can have partners like NBC and Toyota bring our Movement to the forefront of society, the more we showcase to the next generation of athletes that there’s a place to live out their dreams.”

“We are thrilled to present the Paralympic Winter Games in just a few short weeks,” said Alexa Pritting, coordinating producer for NBCU’s Paralympic coverage. “Whether it’s on the ice or snow, we look forward to showcasing the athletes and telling their compelling stories as they compete on the world’s biggest stage.”

“It’s our pleasure to partner with NBCUniversal for the third consecutive Paralympic Games to bring even more coverage to American viewers,” said Lisa Materazzo, group vice president, Toyota Marketing, Toyota Motor North America. “There is no better global event for Toyota to reinforce our passionate belief that everyone has the right to freedom of movement in an inclusive society. It’s exciting to see support for the Paralympic Movement grow and we can’t wait for viewers to see that when a person is free to move, anything is possible.”

–WINTER PARALYMPICS–