Alliance Atlantis halts exploration of ownership alternatives for Motion Picture Distribution holding

Alliance Atlantis halts exploration of ownership alternatives for Motion Picture Distribution holding

www.allianceatlantis.com TSX: AAC.A, AAC.B

TORONTO, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. (AACI) today announced that it has indefinitely halted the exploration of ownership alternatives for its holding in Motion Picture Distribution LP (MPD). This process was announced on October 20, 2006.

In an announcement on January 10, 2007, CanWest Global Communications Corp. and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners (GS Capital Partners) announced an agreement to acquire AACI. Subject to the agreement, it is intended that AACI's MPD holding will be controlled by a Canadian partner of GS Capital Partners. In light of this announcement, Alliance Atlantis has determined that it would be most appropriate to halt the MPD sale process at this time.

About Alliance Atlantis Communications

Alliance Atlantis offers Canadians 13 well-branded specialty channels boasting targeted, high-quality programming. The Company also co-produces and distributes the hit CSI franchise and indirectly holds a 51% limited partnership interest in Motion Picture Distribution LP, a leading distributor of motion pictures in Canada, with motion picture distribution operations in the United Kingdom and Spain. The Company's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange - trading symbols AAC.A and AAC.B. The Company's website is www.allianceatlantis.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements which reflect AACI's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are those which are not historical fact. The reader should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause them to differ materially from the anticipated future results or expectations expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Other risks and factors are described in materials filed by AACI with the security regulatory authorities in Canada from time to time, including AACI's 2005 Management's Discussion and Analysis. AACI undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.

CONTACT: Andrew Akman, Senior Vice President, Finance - Corporate
Development & Investor Relations, Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., Tel:
(416) 966-7701, Email: andrew.akman@allianceatlantis.com; Nicola McIsaac,
Manager, Corporate & Public Affairs, Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc,
Tel: (416) 969-4405, Email: nicola.mcisaac@allianceatlantis.com

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