CanWest Global Communications Corp. -- Australia's Network TEN Posts Solid 1st Quarter Results.

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1998-- CanWest(TSE:CGS.S.) (TSE:CGS.A.) (NYSE:CWG) Network off to strong start to its 1999 fiscal year Australia's Network TEN today reported increases in profit, net revenue and ratings for the first quarter of its 1999 fiscal year.

TEN's earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose to A$64 million, up 7.0 percent from the same period in 1997. For the quarter, TEN's advertising revenue rose 7.3 percent over the same period last year. The unaudited quarterly results were announced today in Sydney by Mr. John Studdy, the Chairman of both Network TEN and TEN Network Holdings Limited. CanWest Global Communications Corp. holds a 57.5 percent economic interest in Network TEN, while the publicly listed TEN Network Holdings Limited holds an approximate 39 percent economic interest.

Peter Viner, CanWest's President and Chief Executive Officer was encouraged by the results for the first quarter. "Given the uneven advertising conditions in Australia over the much of the past year and concern generally with economic environment in the South Pacific, this is a great way to start the new fiscal year," said Mr. Viner.

Mr. Viner also noted that while revenues and profits were both up, so too were ratings in TEN's key audience demographic of 16-39 year olds. TEN's prime time share among that group was up almost 7 percent from the previous year to 32.6 percent. "This is important as it strengthens our position for the 1999 advertising rate negotiations in Australia," stated Mr. Viner.

Network TEN Chief Executive Officer John McAlpine pointed to the prime time line-up of programs as the key to the network's continued success. "The introduction of new shows such as Dawsons Creek, Charmed and L.A. Doctors reinforces our position among the younger audiences and complements our proven programming series The Panel, Party of Five, Neighbours, The Simpsons and X-Files," said Mr. McAlpine.

CanWest CEO Peter Viner expects the strong results for Network TEN for the first quarter to bode well for the rest of the year. "Although one quarter does not make a year, it is important to get off on the right track," said Mr. Viner. "And with TEN's attention to cost control and the improvement in its key demographic audience, we are anticipating a strong result from TEN for fiscal 1999."

CanWest Global Communications Corp. (NYSE-CWG and TSE-CGS.S and CGS.A) is an international media company. In Canada, CanWest owns and operates the Global Television Network and Global Prime Cable Network, as well as CanWest Entertainment, whose principal operation is Fireworks Entertainment Inc., a production and distribution company. Internationally, CanWest owns and operates New Zealand's TV3 and TV4 Television Networks and the More FM Radio Network. The Company also has significant investments in Canada's WIC Western International Communications Ltd., Australia's TEN Television Network, the Republic of Ireland's new TV3 Television Network, and Northern Ireland's Ulster