Record-breaking premiere of made-in-Canada series The Latest Buzz the most recent ratings coup for Family Channel, Canada's number one pay and specialty service

      March 14 debut of Canadian live-action original series The Latest
     Buzz garners network's biggest-ever audience for a series premiere(1)

              Family Channel leads the broadcast season to date
                       for pay and specialty channels

    TORONTO, April 2 /CNW/ - Young audiences know that Family Channel is the
destination for their favourite shows and turned out in record numbers to
catch the March 14 premiere of new Canadian original series The Latest Buzz, a
series about a group of grade-nine students who take the reigns at a
struggling teen-oriented magazine. This debut is the latest in a string of
successes that has established Family Channel as the number one pay and
specialty channel in Canada among most demographics including People 2+.
    Commissioned by Astral Media's Family Channel and produced by Decode
Entertainment Inc., the Canadian television premiere of The Latest Buzz on
March 14 had an average audience of 322,600,(2) 17% more viewers than the
previous record holder, making it the most-watched series premiere ever in
Family Channel's 20-year history. Of these viewers, 66% belong to the 8-14
year old demographic who compose Family Channel's core audience(3). In its
first week, the series premiere of The Latest Buzz had a cumulative reach of
710,000 P2+ and a cumulative average audience of 468,500 P2+ over two
telecasts.4
    "We're always proud when our commitment to Canadian original programming
translates into ratings success," said Joe Tedesco, Vice President and General
Manager, Family Channel and Playhouse Disney. "We're thrilled that The Latest
Buzz is joining the ranks of hit Canadian series such as Life With Derek,
Naturally, Sadie and Radio Free Roscoe and further reinforces our position as
one of the top channels in Canada."
    The Latest Buzz joins Family Channel's lineup of hit series that includes
Hannah Montana, Life with Derek, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Cory in the
House and Wizards of Waverly Place. Among Family's core demographic, these
shows dominate weekly BBM Nielsen Media Research Top 20 lists, averaging 17 of
the top 20 most-watched programs since the start of the broadcast season.5
    The combined success of these series and movies validates that Family
Channel's Never-A-Dull-Moment approach to programming is resonating with
viewers. The 2007/2008 broadcast season has seen Family Channel lead the way
among pay and specialty stations, and follows a pattern of growth extending
back several years.
    Since the 2002/2003 season, Family has grown its P2+ audience 59%, and
today commands the number one spot in several categories including:

      -  the number one pay and specialty channel for P2+ (number five
         English-language channel, behind conventional channels such as CTV,
         Global and CBC);
      -  number one among 8-14 year olds for four years running; and,
      -  number one among all Teens 12-17 for the second year in a row.6

    Family Channel is a premium, commercial-free network offering the best in
family television entertainment in 5.6 million homes across Canada. Dedicated
to celebrating family life and providing a fun experience for all, Family airs
a unique mix of series, movies and specials, with a large portion of
programming supplied by Disney. Visit us at family.ca.
    Family Channel is an Astral Television Network. Astral Media is a leading
Canadian media company, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor
advertising and iMedia. Astral Media's solid and dynamic presence in the
country's major markets rests on its commitment to offer a unique combination
of high-quality, targeted media for all its audiences.

    1. Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research - P2+ - March 14 - 6:30 p.m. ET/PT
       - Family Channel, compared to historical series premiere ratings.
    2. Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research - P2+ - March 14 - 6:30 p.m. ET/PT
       - Family Channel.
    3. Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research - P8-14 - March 14
       - 6:30 p.m. ET/PT - Family Channel.
    4. Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research - P2+ - March 10 - March 14
       - Family Channel.
    5. Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research - Total Canada - P8-14
       -- Weeks 1-26 - M-Su 6a-6a - English language stations.
    6. Source: BBM Nielsen Media Research - Total Canada - Weeks 1-26
       - M-Su 6a-6a - English language stations.

For further information: Scott Campbell at (416) 956-8848 or
scampbell@tv.astral.com