THE MOVIE NETWORK INKS MULTI-YEAR, MULTIPLATFORM DEAL FOR SHOWTIME
PROGRAMMING

Hit Showtime series including Californication, Dexter and United States of Tara available to TMN subscribers on-air, online and on-demand through long-term deal

TORONTO, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - Astral's The Movie Network and CBS Studios International, which distributes Showtime programming globally, today announced that they have renewed and expanded upon their long-standing relationship with a new multi-year deal that will have Showtime's acclaimed lineup of original dramas, comedies and documentaries - including upcoming seasons of Californication, Dexter^TM and United States of Tara^TM and new series such as Episodes - available to subscribers of The Movie Network on-air, on-demand and online.

"Showtime's original programming is among the most cutting-edge and acclaimed content out there and is exactly the sort of premium experience that makes The Movie Network such a unique entertainment and value proposition," said Kevin Wright, Senior Vice President, Programming, Astral Television Networks. "This multi-year deal expands upon our ability to provide this award-winning programming across multiple platforms, including The Movie Network OnDemand service and TMN OnLine which is offered through distributors such as BellTV, Rogers and Videotron."

"Showtime has established itself as a leader in premium programming with such must-have, critically acclaimed shows as Dexter and United States of Tara," said Bruce Swanson, Senior Vice President and General Sales Manager, CBS Studios International. "This new agreement will enable The Movie Network to build on their current stable of Showtime shows while also delivering on its multiplatform strategy to offer programming to their subscribers across multiple screens."

The Movie Network currently carries the majority of Showtime's premium original programming, including Emmy^® winners Californication, Dexter and United States of Tara and such acclaimed cutting-edge series as The Green Room; La La Land; Lock 'N Load; Look; Penn & Teller: Bullshit!; The Real L Word^TM; Secret Diary of a Call Girl; and, Tracy Ullman: State of the Union. New series launching in January 2011 include Episodes, starring Matt LeBlanc.

The Movie Network is a pay television service available in eastern Canada. With premiere access to Hollywood hit movies, new and exclusive HBO content, critically-acclaimed Showtime series and first-rate Canadian programming, this pay-television service presents Canadians with some of the best television entertainment available. The Movie Network service includes five 24-hour multiplex channels - M, HBO Canada, MExcess, MFun! and MFest - which deliver diverse and entertaining programs in an uncut and commercial-free television environment. The Movie Network also offers The Movie Network HD, HBO Canada HD, MExcess HD and MFun! HD, four dedicated high-definition channels providing hundreds of titles in HD; The Movie Network OnDemand, a Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) service, available in select areas across eastern Canada; and, TMN OnLine an Internet-based content streaming service available to BellTV, Rogers and Videotron subscribers. For more information, please visit www.themovienetwork.ca.

The Movie Network is a member of the Astral family. Astral (TSX: ACM.A/ACM.B) is one of Canada's largest media companies. It operates over 100 of the country's most popular pay and specialty television, radio, out-of-home advertising and digital media properties. Astral plays a central role in community life across the country by offering diverse, rich and vibrant programming that meets the tastes and needs of consumers and advertisers. To learn more about Astral, visit astral.com.

For further information:

Media contact:

Deborah Wilson
Vice President, Communications
416-956-8558
[email protected]