CanWest Ups Commitment to Alliance Atlantis Acquisition

TORONTO, February 23: CanWest Global Communications Corp. is
planning to contribute C$200 million to its joint bid with Goldman Sachs
Capital Partners (GSCP) for Alliance Atlantis Communications, up from the
previously announced C$132 million.

CanWest's initial commitment
was C$132 million, with the option to increase this within 45 days of the
original agreement. CanWest's equity will be directed to the subsidiary
acquiring Alliance Atlantis's broadcasting division and will result in CanWest
owning about 29 percent. "This is consistent with our ongoing commitment
to enhance our existing television business by expanding in the specialty
television sector," said Leonard Asper, the president and CEO of CanWest.

Last month, CanWest and GSCP
reached a deal to acquire Alliance Atlantis for C$2.3 billion ($1.96 billion).
Upon receipt of CRTC approval, Alliance Atlantis's specialty television
business and CanWest's Canadian television business will eventually be
combined.