Canwest Launches DIY Network Canada - It's Hammer Time! Canwest's Newest
Specialty Channel Launches Monday, October 19, 2009 In More Than 2 Million
Canadian Homes

    
             For more information visit: www.canwesttvmedia.com
    

TORONTO , Oct. 16 /CNW/ - Canwest is proud to announce the launch of DIY Network Canada , the country's only 24/7 source for home improvement television. Featuring tear-down, build-up and how-to television at its best, DIY Network's programs and experts will offer viewers tips, advice and step-by-step guidance to tackle a variety of home improvement projects. DIY Network Canada launches on Monday, October 19, 2009 .

"This new Specialty channel for Canwest Broadcasting further strengthens our position as the leader in lifestyle television," said Karen Gelbart , SVP, Lifestyle Content, Canwest Broadcasting. "The launch of DIY Network Canada comes at a particularly relevant time as it will provide our viewers with entertaining programming that educates and offers practical ways to cut costs and increase the value of their homes."

Established by U.S.-based Scripps Networks in 1999, DIY Network is one of the fastest growing digital networks in the United States with substantial gains of 25 percent in the key demographic target in 2009 vs. 2008. DIY Network Canada will join the family of popular Canwest lifestyle specialty channels that also includes other Scripps' channels Food Network Canada and HGTV Canada . It will launch in more than two million Canadian homes.

"We're delighted to bring DIY Network's unique brand and programming to Canadian viewers, who will be empowered to take control of their home renovation projects," says Kristen Jordan , SVP of Scripps Networks International. "There's never been a better time to save money, learn a new skill, invest in your home and just do-it-yourself."

DIY Network Canada is the perfect complement to HGTV Canada as it offers the very best of home improvement television with entertaining experts who offer practical advice while keeping the tone upbeat and fun. Series confirmed for launch include:

    
    - Sweat Equity - host Amy Matthews determines which home improvement
       projects will return the most bang for the buck;
    -  Yard Crashers - Ahmed Hassan, professional landscaper, waits at stores
       for weekend warriors who could use his help and he follows them home
       for ambush landscaping at its best;
    -  Desperate Landscapes - licensed contractor Jason Cameron takes on a
       neighbourhood's ugliest yard and gives it a brand-new look; and
    -  Kitchen Impossible - contractor Marc Bartolomeo helps discouraged
       homeowners transform their terrible kitchens into sparkling new
       spaces.
    

Featuring a schedule packed with brand-new shows, stunts and specials, DIY Network Canada will tear up the Canadian television landscape and assist viewers with all their home improvement needs from small-scale fix-it jobs to major home renovations. Canwest will also launch a DIY Network Canada website to coincide with the channel's on-air premiere.

About Canwest Broadcasting

Canwest Broadcasting operates Global Television and eighteen of the country's most popular specialty channels, including HGTV Canada , Mystery TV, National Geographic Channel, Showcase, History Television, Food Network Canada and TVtropolis. Canwest Broadcasting is a division of Canwest Media Inc.

About Canwest Media Inc.

Canwest Media Inc. is a subsidiary of Canwest Global Communications Corp. (www.canwest.com), Canada's largest media company. In addition to owning the Global Television Network, operating 18 industry-leading specialty channels and having ownership in 5 specialty channels, Canwest is Canada's largest publisher of English language paid daily newspapers and owns and operates more than 80 online properties.

About DIY Network

From the makers of HGTV and Food Network, DIY Network is the go-to destination for rip-up, knock-out home improvement television. DIY Network's programs and experts answer the most sought-after questions and offer creative projects for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. One of the fastest growing digital networks and currently in 50 million U.S. homes, DIY Network's programming covers a broad range of categories, including home improvement and landscaping. The network's award-winning Web site, www.diynetwork.com, is a leader in the Nielsen Online Home and Garden category and features multiple resources, including thousands of do-it-yourself home improvement projects, expert advice, how-to videos and images, and user-friendly reference guides with step-by-step instructions.

For further information: For media inquiries, please contact: Ursula Terlecki, Publicist, HGTV and DIY Canada, Canwest Broadcasting, [phone], [email protected]; Jaclyn Atwood, Senior Publicist, Food Network, HGTV and DIY Canada, Canwest Broadcasting, [phone], [email protected]