After not airing all of opening ceremony, Canadian TV says it will show full Paralympics finale

From The Vancouver Sun in Canada:

The CTV network, which was criticized for not showing the opening ceremony live across the country, said March 16 it will broadcast the finale in English on CTV and in French on RDS.

The ceremony starts at 7 p.m. March 21 in Whistler.

Brian Williams will anchor for CTV alongside three-time Paralympic Games gold medallist Marni Abbott-Peter. On RDS, Claude Mailhot and Claudine Douville will host.

The opening ceremony, held Friday night at BC Place, was broadcast in most markets on Saturday afternoon as part of a package of coverage around Canada's first sledge hockey game. The network decided to air the ceremony live in Vancouver after much public outcry, including criticism from International Paralympic Committee president Phil Craven.

By the time the Games have ended, CTV will have aired 60 hours of coverage, more than has been show at any previous Paralympic Games. The gold-medal sledge hockey game will be shown live on Saturday at noon.

“CTV's commitment to live and extensive coverage has been exceptional, not only for the Olympic Games but for the Paralympic Games as well. CTV has set the benchmark for future coverage," said Vanoc CEO John Furlong. "The excitement of world-class Paralympic sport has ignited again national pride and an appetite for inspirational athletic performance."