Channel 4 will continue to broadcast the Paralympics until 2020 after retaining the rights to the next two games.

The broadcaster and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have signed a letter of intent for the channel to remain the rights holder to the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, as well as the London 2017 Para Athletics World Championships.

Channel 4 broadcast more than 700 hours of Paralympics coverage during Rio 2016, which was watched by 28 million viewers.

Contract negotiations will continue over the coming weeks, but the letter of intent outlines the principles of a new agreement between the Paralympics' global governing body and Channel 4.

Sir Philip Craven, president of the IPC, said: "As shown with its outstanding coverage of Rio 2016, Channel 4 continues to set the international benchmark for how Paralympic sport should be covered by a broadcaster.

"They lead the way both on and off the screen and we look forward to working with them for a further four years through to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

"Whether it is producing international award winning TV advertisements promoting Paralympic sport, recruiting on and off screen talent with an impairment or delivering Bafta award winning coverage, Channel 4 fully understands that its coverage is not only enthralling audiences but changing attitudes towards people with an impairment.

"Channel 4 has built a reputation on innovating and bringing a new approach to Para sport coverage which many other broadcasters around the world are now following.

"By extending our long-term partnership for a further four years covering London 2017, PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020 we can work together to build on the great work and achievements of the last four years.

David Abraham, chief executive of Channel 4 added: "Over the last two weeks, Channel 4 has engaged millions of British viewers with the awe-inspiring feats of elite athletes from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

"The Paralympics speaks to Channel 4's public service remit on many levels and I'm incredibly proud that our coverage and marketing of the Games has both helped change public perceptions of people with impairments and encouraged broadcasters around the world to show Paralympic sport."