Global News puts local viewers first with innovative submission for new national news service

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TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2014 /CNW/ - Shaw Media is pleased to announce that it has formally submitted an application to the CRTC for a new national, English-language specialty programming service, Global News 1.  This innovative, all-Canadian channel would incorporate separate local news feeds covering as many as 28 different communities, greatly expanding and diversifying the amount of news and information programming in the Canadian broadcasting system.

"As a leading network and content-experience company, we're excited about the ability of Global News 1 to meet the changing needs of consumers," said Troy Reeb, Senior Vice President, News and Station Operations, Shaw Media. "Canadians have made clear the vital importance they place on local news at the same time as they are increasingly turning to 24/7 sources. Global News 1 will connect Canadians not just to the stories that shape their neighborhoods, but that tie the country together."

Global News 1 will feature a national newsfeed bookended by local news segments tailored specifically for each of the markets it serves.  Using next-generation technology, the service will be framed by a continuous data feed of hyper-local headlines and community events.  With the ability to cover live, breaking news at the local, regional or national level, Global News 1 will be like no other service on the dial.

If approved, Global News 1 will feature distinct local feeds in all 12 markets where Global currently operates conventional television stations.  It would also add local newsrooms to eight more communities where there is either no local television news or limited competition.  These include Fort McMurray and Red Deer, AB; Sault Ste. Marie, Niagara, Mississauga and Ottawa, ON; Quebec City, QC and Charlottetown, PE.  Shaw Media is also proposing to open the channel to eight small-market, independent broadcasters who would have the opportunity to add their own local content to the service and retain all local advertising in their markets.

At a time when conventional television stations are facing significant economic challenges, Global News 1 offers a innovative solution for the long-term sustainability of local programming, along with greater access to a diverse range of national voices.  There is currently no specialty news service in this country that provides such a unique offering to Canadians.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Twitter: @globaltvnews
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GlobalNews

Video Clip Download: bit.ly/XMXrUJ

Global is a Shaw Media Network.

About Shaw Communications Inc.
Shaw is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.3 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 19 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY® and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX – SJR.B, NYSE – SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.

SOURCE: Global News

For media inquiries, please contact: Rishma Govani, Communications Manager, Global News, Shaw Media, 416-391-7361, [email protected]; Samantha Simic, Publicity Coordinator, Global News, Shaw Media, 416-446-5494, [email protected]