CanWest MediaWorks Appoints New Head of TV Programming and Production

CanWest MediaWorks Appoints New Head of TV Programming and Production

Realigns executive team for television and radio operations

TORONTO, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kathleen Dore, President, Television and Radio, CanWest MediaWorks, today announced the appointment of Barbara Williams as Senior Vice President, Programming and Production for the CanWest MediaWorks television assets. Ms. Dore also announced a realignment of her senior management team.

Ms. Williams, who comes to Global with over 25 years of experience in the broadcasting media, will have overall responsibility for all television entertainment programming, including acquisitions and production for both conventional and specialty television. In her most recent role, as Vice President and General Manager of TORONTO 1, Ms. Williams oversaw the launch and management of Toronto's newest conventional television station. Prior to that she was Senior Vice President, Lifestyle Programming at Alliance Atlantis, responsible for all programming on Life Network, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, and Discovery Health Channel. Ms Williams' appointment takes effect on February 17, 2005.

In welcoming Barbara Williams to her management team, Kathleen Dore referred to Ms. Williams' outstanding record of accomplishment and success in Canadian television. "Barbara brings innovative thinking and a real passion for, and understanding of our business to this key position. We look forward to Barbara leading our expanded programming and production initiatives to deliver compelling entertainment content to our audiences."

"I'm delighted to be joining the CanWest MediaWorks team at such a significant and exciting time," said Ms. Williams. "I'm looking forward to this outstanding opportunity to build on the rich history of Global Television, and I welcome this exciting mandate to deliver superior entertainment programs, schedules and brands to Canadian viewers across the diverse portfolio of CanWest MediaWorks' media platforms".

Ms. Dore also announced a number of additional senior internal appointments that will complete the re-alignment and streamlining of the senior management team for television and radio under one umbrella. These appointments take effect on February 14, 2005.

- Chris McGinley, currently General Manager, Global Alberta, is
appointed Vice President, Western Stations and will oversee all
stations in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

- Patrick O'Hara, currently General Manager, Eastern Broadcasting
Operations, is named Vice President, Eastern Stations and will oversee
all stations in Manitoba, Quebec, the Maritimes, and Ontario with the
exception of Global Ontario. Mr. O'Hara will also oversee all radio
assets.

- Bill Hunt, currently Vice President and General Manager Global
Television Specialty Inc., based in Winnipeg, will assume a new role
as Vice President and General Manager of Global Ontario, effective
April 1.

- Greg Treffry, currently Director, Corporate Development at Global
Television, is appointed Vice President, Business Development, which
also includes responsibility for affiliate relations and business
management of all specialty networks.

- Adam Ivers, Vice President, Programming, will now be responsible for
program acquisitions for both conventional and specialty television.

- Steve Wyatt, currently Editor in Chief, Global News, is appointed
Senior Vice President, News and Information with oversight of all
television news assets.

- Charlotte Bell will continue in her current role as Vice President,
Regulatory Affairs, for both television and radio.



Commenting on her new management team, Ms. Dore said "These appointments will contribute to a more efficient, effective and integrated organization structure that will ensure that our broadcasting assets, our marketing and our brand strategies are attuned to an increasingly competitive marketplace and positioned to meet the more discerning needs and preferences of our customers."

CanWest MediaWorks is a wholly owned division of CanWest Global Communications Corp. (NYSE: CWG; TSX: CGS.SV and CGS.NV, www.canwestglobal.com), an international media company. CanWest is Canada's largest media company. In addition to owning the Global Television Network, 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 and Ireland.


Source: CanWest Global Communications Corp.

CONTACT: contact Geoffrey Elliot, Vice President,
Corporate Affairs, Tel: (204) 956-2025, Fax: (204) 947-9841,
gelliot@canwest.com


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