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Category Television - CH Date 4/24/2007 |
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CanWest MediaWorks To Bring E! to Canada
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E! Brand to Span Multiple Platforms
Agreement to Include Canadian Development and Production Initiative |
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(TORONTO) The broadcast division of CanWest MediaWorks today announced an exclusive agreement with E! Networks to license and manage the E! brand and content in Canada. On September 1, 2007, CanWest will bring one of the world’s definitive entertainment brands to Canadians across multiple platforms including broadcast, online, mobile, video-on-demand and satellite radio. As part of this agreement, CanWest’s current CH Network will be rebranded as E! beginning this fall.
"In an ever-changing broadcast landscape, the opportunity to enter into a strategic alliance with a multi-platform pioneer like E! represents another defining moment for CanWest’s broadcast business," said Kathleen Dore, President, Canadian Television at CanWest MediaWorks. "This innovative alliance affords us access to multimedia content to help drive success within our broadcast business. We are very confident that the powerful combination of the E! brand and content, alongside our Canadian and local programming, will resonate strongly with Canadian audiences. While Global Television continues to experience strong momentum, the launch of the E! brand in Canada will redefine our second conventional television network.”
"One of our primary goals as a company is to maximize the enormous appeal of the E! brand internationally. The opportunity to partner with CanWest to bring E! to Canada as an over-the-air network and multi-platform entertainment service is a tremendous step towards that goal," said Ted Harbert, president/ceo, Comcast Entertainment Group. "I applaud the amazing work of Comcast Entertainment Group, International President Kevin MacLellan and his talented team for their success in putting together this groundbreaking channel deal with CanWest MediaWorks."
This landmark agreement will see E! delivered as an over-the-air network for the first time anywhere in the world. The Canadian E! schedule will continue to feature a mix of primetime network programming, and will add the extensive library of E! content during daytime, late primetime and weekends. The network’s complete programming schedule will be revealed at the CanWest MediaWorks fall launch event in June 2007.
Another key element in the dynamic alliance with E! features a commitment to develop and co-produce Canadian content programming, in genres including drama, documentary and factual entertainment. In addition to CanWest's existing roster of Canadian content, the new initiative will be supported by a dedicated development fund.
Each station will also continue to serve its local audiences via local news and information programming. Concurrent with the E! launch, each station’s local content will relaunch with a refreshed on-air image under the banner of their historical call letters (CHCH News, CHEK News, CHBC News, CHCA News and CJNT Montreal). This is an acknowledgement of the depth of the connection that the stations have with their local communities – some for over 50 years.
In addition to the E! broadcast network, Canadian entertainment fans will also be able to stay connected to the world of entertainment through a variety of E!-branded access points including E! Online, mobile, video-on-demand and satellite radio. E! Online will be customized for Canadian audiences and CanWest will be aggressively seeking providers for the distribution and delivery of Canadian content for all of the E! multi-platform offerings. E! will work closely with CanWest MediaWorks supporting all new media businesses related to the E! brand and content within the alliance.
About CanWest MediaWorks
CanWest MediaWorks Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CanWest Global Communications Corp, (CanWest) (NYSE: CWG; TSX: CGS and CGS.A, www.canwestglobal.com. CanWest, an international media company, is Canada’s largest media company. In addition to owning Global Television, CanWest is Canada’s largest publisher of daily newspapers, and also owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels, Web sites and radio networks in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom.
About Comcast Entertainment Group
Based in Los Angeles, recently formed Comcast Entertainment Group operates E! Entertainment Television, the 24-hour network with programming dedicated to the world of entertainment, and E! Online; The Style Network, the destination for women 18-49 with a passion for the best in relatable and inspiring lifestyle programming; and G4 offering the last word on gaming, technology, animation, interactivity, and "Internet culture" for the male 18-34 demo. E! is currently available to almost 90 million cable and direct broadcast satellite subscribers in the United States. In 2006, E! launched the E! Everywhere initiative underscoring the company's dedication to making E! content available on all new media platforms any time and anywhere -- from online to broadband at The Vine @E!Online to wireless to satellite radio to VOD. The Style Network currently counts 56 million cable and satellite subscribers and G4, the #1 podcasted cable network in America, is available in 62 million cable and satellite homes nationwide.
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For more information, please contact:
Nicole Starker
Publicist
CH Television
Debbie Hutton
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
CanWest Global Communications Corp.
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