They have instead been awarded to Channel 4, who also controversially snatched the rights to show the London 2012 Paralympics off them despite having shown every Paralympics since the Arnhem 1980 Games and invested several million pounds into promoting disability sport.

The BBC were critical in the formation of the BT Paralympic World Cup, which is the largest annual international multi-sport competition in elite disability sport, and have broadcast the annual competition since its inauguration in 2005.

The BBC refused to comment but it is another coup for Channel 4, who last year also beat the Corporation to the rights to this year's World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea. 

Deborah Poulton, the Sports Editor for Paralympics at Channel 4, said: "We are thrilled to be adding the BT Paralympic World Cup to our TV sporting schedules.

"Alongside the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the BT Paralympic World Cup is another opportunity to help increase awareness of Paralympic sport and make the British viewing public the best informed and most engaged in the world.

"We believe the combination of online streaming and TV highlights coverage will attract new audiences to the BT Paralympic World Cup and give the event and its competitors the profile they deserve."

Channel 4 is set to provide the event with the strongest broadcast coverage it has ever received on UK television as they have committed to a two-hour live programme on May 28 as well daily highlights packages on May 26 and 27.

Live daily streaming from each sport will also be broadcast on the Channel 4 website.

Suzi Williams, Director, BT Group Marketing and Brand, said: "The 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup was a fantastic success, with record crowds and some spectacular sporting performances.

"This year's BT Paralympic World Cup will raise the bar even higher, it's a must-attend event for the world's best Paralympic athletes as they prepare for the Paralympic Games next year and I look forward to seeing some world class coverage on Channel 4."

Wheelchair basketball, athletics and swimming set to return to the programme this year while boccia and sitting volleyball will be represented for the first time with international matches staged during the competition.

The event schedule will see the Manchester Regional Arena host wheelchair basketball on May 23-26 and athletics on May 27 with the Manchester Aquatics Centre hosting the swimming competition on May 27-28.

The sitting volleyball international match will be staged at the Regional Arena on May 25 and the Boccia match on May 26.

ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane said: "The quality and depth of the coverage that Channel 4 will bring to the BT Paralympic World Cup truly demonstrates the vision that they share with us for bringing Paralympic sport to the forefront of the public's minds.

"We are delighted that such a commitment has been made by the broadcaster and look forward to welcoming them to Manchester.

"The world will turn its attention to London in just over a year and a half and the whole country is building on its excitement to host the biggest sporting events on earth.

"For those competitors aiming to compete in London, the BT Paralympic World Cup is a crucial world-class competition that will be a key indicator in their performances."

The BBC, however, still hope to play some role in the event.

Radio appears the most likely forum after BBC Radio 5 live and its sister station 5 live sports extra were awarded radio rights to cover the London 2012 Paralympics Games earlier this month.

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February 2011: Radio 5 awarded radio rights for London 2012 Paralympics
January 2010: BBC snubbed as Channel 4 awarded London 2012 Paralympic broadcast rights