CanWest To Lead The Launch Of TV3 Ireland.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 1997--(NYSE CWG, TSE CGS.S CGS.A ) CanWest Global Communications Corp. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Irish consortium holding the exclusive right to become the Republic of Ireland's first private sector national television broadcaster.

Pursuant to its agreement with its partners, CanWest will be the largest shareholder in a new company to be established which will own and operate a national free-to-air television service to be known as TV3.

TV3, to be headquartered in Dublin, is expected to launch in 1998. The capital expenditure required to develop the new operation is expected to be approximately IR (Pound) 15 million (CDN $32 million), which will be funded from internal resources of the TV3 shareholders.

As an experienced international television broadcaster, CanWest, with a successful history of start-ups and turnarounds of television properties, will be expected to take a leading position in the business and development of TV3.

CanWest's partners in TV3 will be Windmill Lane Pictures Limited, a prominent production and post-production operation; Paul McGuinness, manager of the pop band U2 and Osmond Kilkenny, chartered accountant and financial advisor to many prominent musical acts, including U2.

CanWest's agreement with its partners is conditional upon several outstanding matters, including the successful negotiation of a broadcast contract with the IRTC, the Irish broadcasting regulator. Discussions with the IRTC have been progressing over the past month and are expected to be successfully completed in the next several weeks.

James Morris, Chief Executive of Windmill Lane Productions will become Chairman of the Board of TV3. Mr. Morris said on behalf of CanWest's Irish partners that they were pleased that after almost eight years of setbacks, TV3 finally was going to air. "The IRTC has been very supportive in the past and in CanWest we have at last found a dedicated, experienced and financially committed partner to assist with the development of this exciting television opportunity," he said.

Commenting on the agreement, Leonard Asper, Vice-President, Corporate Development for CanWest said: "CanWest is very pleased to enter the Irish market. With a population of 3.5 million, Ireland has a vibrant and growing economy, yet it has only two full-time free-to-air television channels, both of which are state-owned. The situation in Ireland is very similar to that which we encountered in New Zealand, where we have enjoyed great success. We look forward to the same in Ireland."

Gerald Noble, Vice-President, Operations for CanWest and the former Managing Director of TV3 New Zealand noted that, "the populations of New Zealand and Ireland are virtually the same, and both markets share the same history of television with only two state-owned English language local channels. However, Ireland has a well developed cable system which will significantly assist TV3 Ireland's early launch success."

"In addition," Mr. Noble continued, "the Irish media and advertising industry is quite sophisticated and has a demonstrable appetite for an additional domestic television outlet. The Irish independent television production community is well capitalized, very creative, and is looking for additional outlets. We think that CanWest, in ensuring the successful launch and continued viability of TV3 Ireland, will contribute positively to this industry and will provide new, entertaining, and informative programming to the Irish public."

Putting the transaction into a larger context, Mr. Asper noted that, "Ireland represents an important new market for CanWest, and TV3 will become our first television operation in Europe. This transaction takes us a major step forward in our often-stated objective of establishing a presence in all major English-speaking television markets. Further, it has the added benefit of creating an operating base from which we can monitor developments and opportunities in the broader European marketplace."

Mr. Noble was Managing Director of TV3 New Zealand during CanWest's turnaround of that national network, and also led the successful application to establish TV4 New Zealand, a new national network which will go to air in two months. On behalf of CanWest he will oversee the start up of the new Irish TV3 network.

CanWest Global Communications Corp. (NYSE: CWG and TSE: CGS.S and CGS.A) is a leading international television broadcaster. In Canada, the Company owns and operates the CanWest Global System, Canada's most profitable private sector broadcaster. Internationally, the Company owns substantial economic interests in Australia's Network TEN and New Zealand's TV3. Through these broadcasting operations, CanWest reaches approximately 35.8 million English-speaking people in markets that are estimated to generate approximately CDN$4.4 billion in advertising expenditures. -0-

IRISH TELEVISION MARKET

BACKGROUND

Republic of Ireland population            3.5 million

Total Advertising 1996                    IR (Pound) 300 million
     Television Share (32 percent)        IR (Pound) 96 million

Growth in Television Advertising Spend
over last 5 years                         71 percent


                                    Audience    Advertising
                                    Share       Share
Republic of Ireland Television
     Networks:
       RTE 1 - State-owned          41 percent
       NET 2 - State-owned          18 percent
       TnaG - State-owned Irish
        language                    --
                                    ------      ------
                                    59 percent  100 percent

     UK Channels (available on
      cable systems)                41 percent         --

Cable penetration
     National                       50 percent
     Urban                          70 percent

TV3 signal penetration at launch will be 85 percent with planned
future buildout to 95 percent within five years.

Economic Statistics and Government Forecasts:

     GNP Growth                     +5.0 percent 1997
                                    +4.5 percent 1998-1999
     CPI growth                     2.0 - 2.5 percent
     Projected 1997 GNP             IR (Pound) 39,500 million
     Employment increase            +45,000 1997
                                    +35,000 1998-1999
     Real disposable income         +5 percent 1997
                                    +4.5 percent 1998-1999
     Export Growth                  +11.75 percent 1997
                                    +9.25 percent 1998-1999
     General Government Deficit     1.5 percent of GDP

Currency Exchange                   IR (Pound) 1 = CDN $2.17
                                    IR (Pound) 1 = US$1.55

CONTACT: CanWest Global Communications Corp.

Leonard Asper, 204/ 956-2025

204/ 947-9841 (FAX)

or

CanWest Global Communications Corp.

Gerry Noble, 204/ 956-2025

204/ 947-9841 (FAX)

or

Windmill Lane Pictures

James Morris, 011/353-1-671-3444

011/353-1-671-3515 (FAX)