Shaw Media Specialty Channels Cap Off 2011 With Strong Finish

Broadcaster Continues to Lead Industry Growth

Home of the Most Top 20 Non-Sport Specialty Shows

For photography, please visit: www.shawmediatv.ca

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Shaw Media rang in the New Year on a high, celebrating a successful fall 2011 across its specialty services and outpacing the competition with impressive 4% growth amongst key A25-54 and W25-54 demographics*.

With final numbers now confirmed it's clear that more viewers continued to turn to Shaw Media's specialty channels for top notch programming, with 13 of 18 channels recording year over year growth this past fall. With 10% growth over last year, HGTV achieved the highest rate of growth against all top 10 specialty channels for W25-54. Meanwhile, during the week of December 26, History Television, the number one entertainment specialty channel, and Showcase achieved their highest average weekly audiences on record (V2+ and A25-54).**

Similar strength was seen across the rest of the services as Shaw Media dominated the top 10 digital channel ranker with seven of the top 10 channels among A25-54 and six of the top 10 for W25-54***. National Geographic and Action held strong in the number one and two slots as the top ranked digital channels for A25-54, and National Geographic continues to be the only digital channel to sit in the top 20 across all specialty channels for multiple demos.

"Shaw Media's steadfast commitment to bringing Canadians the most riveting content across our specialty channels has resulted in exciting success and growth in 2011," says Barbara Williams, SVP, Content, Shaw Media. "We've established a strong reputation within the television landscape and focus to maintain our stride as we enter a new year."

The broadcaster's highly sought-after content accounted for the highest number of top performing shows with a jaw-dropping 10 of the top 20 non-sport specialty shows among A25-54. History Television had an unstoppable season with Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Ice Road Truckers, Swamp People and American Restoration taking four of the top 10 and eight of the top 20 show spots for A25-54 and five of the top 20 among W25-54. Showcase's original runaway hit Lost Girl was the second most watched specialty serial drama for A25-54 and W25-54. Food Network's exciting new season of Next Iron Chef, was a top 10 show for W25-54 and top 20 for A25-54.

About Shaw Communications Inc.
Shaw Communications Inc. 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 3.4 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 18 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, History Television 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 *:
BBM Canada PPM data
Total Canada
8/30/10-1/2/11; 8/30/11 - 1/2/12
(Competitor rate of growth over F'10: Bell Media, -3%; Rogers,+3%; Corus, -7% )

Source **:
8/28/06-8/30/09 BBM-Nielsen Meter data
8/31/09-1/1/12 BBM Canada PPM data
Total Canada, M-Su, 2a-2a

Source *** and remainder:
BBM Canada PPM data
Total Canada
8/30/11 - 1/2/12

For media inquiries, please contact:

Jaclyn Atwood-Powell
Publicity Manager, Lifestyle Channels, Shaw Media
416-966-7293
[e-mail]