The network said it had reversed the original decision not to broadcast them because it was happy with the ratings from the Opening Ceremony broadcast and felt airing the closing ceremonies was the right way to finish the Games.

The refusal to show last Friday's two-hour Opening Ceremony live nationwide - and only making a late decision to broadcast them as they happened in British Columbia - drew huge criticism from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven, who called it a "smack in the face".

The Opening Ceremony, held before a sell-out crowd of 55,000 at BC Place in Vancouver was widely praised.

The Closing Ceremony in Whistler is expected to be a more intimate occasion but it is hoped it will be a fitting end, not only to the Paralympics, but also of the Games, which over a month ago with the Olympics.

Susanne Boyce, president of creative, content and channels for CTV Inc, said: "Canadians have demonstrated incredible passion and support for our Paralympians as they set new standards for performance and inspiration.

"This final celebration brings to a close the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, an unforgettable adventure that has captivated our entire nation."

Understandably, IPC officials greeted the decision by CTV to change their mind with much delight.

Xavier Gonzalez, the chief executive of the IPC, said: "We are ecstatic.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for the Canadian public to see the end of nine years of work, because it's not only the end of the Paralympics, it is the end of the Games."

According to CTV, the combined audience for the live and tape-delayed opening broadcasts of the ceremonies, the centrepiece of which was a tribute to Terry Fox (pictured), was 1.4 million viewers, while the Canada-Italy sledge hockey game that aired after Saturday's broadcast had an average audience of 1.14 million viewers.

John Furlong, the chief executive of Vancouver 2010, said: "CTV's commitment to live and extensive coverage has been exceptional, not only for the Olympic Games but for the Paralympic Games as well.

"The excitement of world-class Paralympic sport has ignited again national pride and an appetite for inspirational athletic performance.

"Since it started on February 12, it's been an incredible chapter in our country's history.

"And now, through CTV, Canadians will join us live to bid farewell to the Paralympians and to 27 days of spectacular Paralympic and Olympic winter sport."


Related stories
March 2010: Sir Philip claims TV snub is "smack in the face" for Paralympics
March 2010: BBC defend lack of Paralympic coverage as CTV cave into pressure to show Opening Ceremony live