CINAR, PBS and the Kratt Brothers Become Partners on ZOBOOMAFOOTM - PBS' Popular Pre-School Series - Featuring the Kratt Brothers.

CANNES, FRANCE/MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 1999--

CINAR(NASDAQ:CINRF) (ME:CIF.A.) (TSE:CIF.A.) (ME:CIF.B.) (TSE:CIF.B.) MIP-TV - CINAR Corporation (Nasdaq: CINRF), the award-winning entertainment and education company specializing in quality, non-violent children's programming, the Kratt Brothers and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) have concluded an agreement to become partners on ZOBOOMAFOO, the wildlife series for pre-schoolers from Martin Kratt and Chris Kratt, creators and stars of the

acclaimed PBS series Kratts' Creatures. The announcement was made today by Micheline Charest, chairman and co-CEO, CINAR Corporation and Kathy Quattrone, executive vice president, programming services, PBS.

Under the terms of the agreement, CINAR, the Kratt Brothers and PBS will produce 25 new episodes of ZOBOOMAFOO to premiere on PBS in 2001. CINAR will also handle the global distribution of the series, which premiered on PBS in January with 40 original half- hours. PBS will continue to handle all domestic distribution of the series, serving as U.S. broadcaster and distributing the series on its new 24-hour interactive service, PBS KIDS CHANNEL (slated to debut this fall), and on PBS Kids home video. A licensing and merchandising plan is being developed to extend the reach and impact of the TV series beyond the television screen.

"This agreement consolidates CINAR's relationship with PBS: a relationship that began with ARTHUR, in partnership with WGBH Boston, currently PBS' top-rated children's program and the number one-rated pre-school program on American television(i)," said Micheline Charest. "Our relationship was furthered with WIMZIE'S HOUSE, the only PBS series set in a day care setting, and is now fused with ZOBOOMAFOO, the Kratt Brothers' unique pre-school series which opens the door to the magic and wonder of the animal world."

"CINAR has long been a valued partner of PBS and we're delighted to work with them to bring more episodes of this extraordinary Kratt Brothers series to children in the U.S. and around the world," said Ms. Quattrone. "A cornerstone of our new multimedia children's initiative, ZOBOOMAFOO, exemplifies our mission of providing quality children's programming that parents trust, educators endorse and kids love."

"The response to the first episodes of ZOBOOMAFOO has been tremendous. Pre-schoolers are going crazy over the idea of making animal friends with their leaping lemur pal, Zoboomafoo, on PBS," said Martin Kratt. "And now Chris and I are delighted that CINAR is joining the team and we're looking forward to leaping back into production on new episodes of the series that will introduce our young viewers to even more animals."

Designed to give PBS' youngest viewers their very first introduction to animals, ZOBOOMAFOO stars Martin Kratt and Chris Kratt-real-life "creature adventurers"-and a playful little lemur named Zoboomafoo ("Zoboo" for short). Together, they teach children to respect and care for animals and explore the world around them. The series uses a lively mix of formats-including the live-action adventure outpost, Animal Junction, and the clay animation fantasy of Zobooland-to create the kind of fun and energetic learning environment that became the Kratt Brothers' signature style on their popular wildlife series for school-age kids, Kratts' Creatures.

The ZOBOOMAFOO series exploits the latest technology to extend the viewing experience. Employing Intel Corporation's groundbreaking digital television technology, several episodes to be broadcast this spring will be enhanced with interactive digital content that can be accessed while the program airs. The award-winning ZOBOOMAFOO website, http://www.pbs.org/zoboo, also features extensive sound and animation, songs and animal games. In addition, an educational outreach campaign will be designed by CINAR to accompany the series.

The 40 original half-hours of ZOBOOMAFOO(TM) are produced by Mangatsika, Inc., in association with The Earth Creatures Company, PBS and Zoobomafoo properties(C) and TM PBS. Series creators/executive producers/stars: Chris Kratt and Martin Kratt. Series creator/executive producer: Leo Baton. Producer: Cheryl Knapp.

CINAR Corporation is an integrated entertainment and education company involved in the development, production, post-production and worldwide distribution of non-violent, quality programming and educational products for children and families. CINAR's original productions include: the Emmy Award winning ARTHUR(TM) (with WGBH Boston), The Busy World of Richard Scarry(TM), Are You Afraid of the Dark?(TM), Wimzie's House(TM) and Lassie(TM), as well as mini- series and family films, which are seen in over 150 countries. CINAR Education Inc., CINAR's educational division promotes children's learning by developing, producing, distributing, and marketing high-quality supplemental education products worldwide. Through CINAR's diverse programming, its licensing and merchandising of entertainment related products and its array of supplemental education products, the Company intends to appeal to children worldwide, throughout their entire day.

Co-founded and co-CEO'd by Chris Kratt and Martin Kratt, The Earth Creatures Company is committed to kid empowerment and helping the creatures with whom we share the planet through multimedia, including wildlife filmmaking, publishing and interactive television programming.

PBS, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is a private, nonprofit media entreprise, owned and operated by the nation's 349 public television stations. A trusted community resource, PBS uses the power of noncommercial television, the Internet and other media to enrich the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services that inform, inspire and delight. Available to 99 percent of American homes with televisions and an increasing number of digital multimedia households, PBS serves nearly 100 million people each week.

(i) SOURCE: PBS NTI Pocketpieces for July, August, and September 1998 and Nickelodeon NHI Pocketpiece for 3rd quarter 1998.