CanWest Global - Perth, Adelaide key contributors to strong financial results at Network Ten.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 1996--CanWest Global (TSE:CGS.S/CGS.A) (OTC BULLETIN STOCK:CWGVF) (NYSE:CWG) thanks to strong contributions from its stations in Perth and Adelaide, Australia's Network Ten, in which CanWest Global Communications Corp. has a 57.5 percent economic interest, Wednesday reported record-breaking financial results for its fiscal year ended June 30, 1996.

Network Ten's total advertising sales rose 15.4 percent against the 1995 fiscal year, due in large part to the eight months of its 100 percent ownership of its stations in Perth and Adelaide.

The solid growth in sales propelled Network Ten's earnings before interest and income taxes (EBIT), the common performance benchmark in Australia, to A$139.2 million for its 1996 fiscal year, up 29.2 percent over EBIT of A$107.7 million for the year ended June 30, 1995. Earnings before interest, income taxes and depreciation (EBITD) were up 28.2 percent at A$148.3 million in 1996, compared with A$115.7 million in the prior year.

Network Ten's strong performance translates to robust bottom line growth for CanWest, which equity accounts its 57.5 percent interest in the Australian broadcaster.

Commenting on yet another outstanding year at Network Ten, CanWest Chairman and Chief Executive Officer I.H. Asper, O.C., Q.C., who is also deputy chairman of Network Ten, said: "We are extremely delighted at Network Ten's strong financial results. We are also pleased at the manner in which the Perth and Adelaide stations have been integrated into the Network Ten family, and with their contributions to the financial results.

"The results clearly confirm the effectiveness of Network Ten's two-fold strategy of targeting key demographic groups combined with stringent control of operating costs," he added.

"Network Ten is positioning itself to be a leader in Australian program content," said Gerry Noble, CanWest's vice president, operations. "Network Ten has commissioned five new Australian series, including three high-value drama programs, which we believe will be well received by Australian viewers."

This past year has also seen Network Ten increase its investment position in its regional affiliates. It currently holds 14.7 percent in Southern Cross Broadcasting Limited, 14.9 percent in Telecasters Australia Limited, and 9.0 percent in the production facilities company, Television & Media Services Limited.

Asper also announced that the network will make dividend and subordinated debenture interest distributions in December 1996 in the aggregate amount of approximately A$90.1 million, of which CanWest will receive approximately A$51.8 million.

CanWest Global Communications Corp. (NYSE:CWG) (TSE:CGS.S/CGS.A) is a leading international television broadcaster with interests in broadcasting properties in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In Canada, the company owns and operates the CanWest Global System, Canada's largest independent broadcaster which currently comprises a group of seven independent television stations and reaches 16.4 million people -- 72 percent of Canada's English-speaking population.

The company also owns a 57.5 percent economic interest (including a 15 percent voting interest) in Network Ten, one of Australia's three private national broadcast networks, and a 20 percent voting interest (with an option to purchase an additional 30 percent voting interest) in TV3, New Zealand's only privately-owned national broadcast television network.

Through these broadcasting operations, CanWest reaches approximately 35.8 million English-speaking people in markets that are estimated to have generated approximately $4.4 billion in television advertising expenditures in 1995.

CONTACT: CanWest Global Communications

John Maguire, 204/956-2025

204/947-9841 (fax)