Astral's Big Countdown for Mira postponed until 2010

MONTREAL , Dec. 1 /CNW Telbec/ - Astral Media Inc. (TSX:ACM.A/ACM.B), Publicis and the Mira Foundation today announced that Astral's Big Countdown for Mira that was to be held on McGill College Avenue in Montréal on December 31, 2009 is postponed to the same date next year.

This decision was made due to the current challenging economic environment as well as the partners and sponsors' collective willingness to maximize the benefits for the Mira Foundation and ensure the event's continuity.

Astral's Big Countdown for Mira will be an important showcase for Montréal on the local, regional and international scenes, while providing significant support for the Mira Foundation, which plays a key role in helping persons with visual or motor disabilities as well as children suffering from pervasive development disorder, including autism.

Astral Media is a leading Canadian media company, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising and interactive media. Astral Media's solid and dynamic presence in Canada's major markets rests on its commitment to offer a unique blend of high-quality, targeted media to all of its audiences. For more information on Astral Media, go to www.astralmedia.com.

Founded in 1981, the Mira Foundation provides over 180 guide dogs and assistance to persons with mental, visual, hearing and motor disabilities. Twenty thousand dollars and two years are required to train a guide dog, which is then given a huge responsibility, that of increasing the autonomy of disabled individuals in order to facilitate their social integration.

For further information: Michel Cloutier, Event Producer and General Manager, [phone], ext. 1289