Citytv Expands to Quebec; Rogers Media to Acquire M tro14 Montr al from Channel Zero

Citytv Expands to Quebec; Rogers Media to Acquire M tro14 Montr al from Channel Zero

Canada NewsWire

– Expansion reinforces commitment to providing premium content on a
national scale –

– Reaches 1.1 million Canadian households; another step en route to
becoming nation
al network –

TORONTO AND MONTREAL, May 3, 2012 /CNW/ – Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a
division of Rogers Media Inc., today announced its intent to acquire
M tro14 Montr al (CJNT), enabling Citytv to expand its footprint in the
key Quebec market and provide its premium programming to new audiences.

The deal reinforces Citytv’s commitment to expand its national reach and
deliver its world-class content on a national scale. With the
acquisition of M tro14 Montr al, which reaches 1.1 million Canadian
households, Citytv is now available in 9 million homes throughout the
country.

The agreement is currently pending regulatory approval with a decision
expected in fall 2012. In the interim, Citytv and M tro14 Montr al
today also signed an affiliate agreement in which Citytv programming
will air on the station, beginning June 4 through closing, with Citytv
selling the inventory.

Today’s announcement follows the previous Rogers Media agreement to
acquire Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) in January 2012, as
Citytv continues to target national reach and compete more effectively
with other national broadcasters.

“Breaking into this market with the acquisition of M tro14 Montr al is a
key ingredient of our overall strategy to deliver our content to a
national audience. It is our goal to become a full national network in
the near future, and this is without question, an aggressive and
essential step in the right direction,” said Scott Moore, President,
Broadcast, Rogers Media. “Having a direct presence in Quebec offers a
more consistent and reliable viewing experience with local and acquired
programming not available on any other network.”

The programming lineup will feature marquee original and acquired Citytv
programming, such as CityLine, key prime-time hits New Girl, Hell’s Kitchen, 2 Broke Girls, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, and Revenge, the highly-anticipated The Bachelor Canada which launches this fall, daytime favourites, original documentaries,
movies and specials.

“Initially, the thought of selling M tro14 at a time when we were seeing
solid audience and revenue growth on the station didn’t seem to be the
right course of action. However, after much consideration, we saw the
sale of M tro14 to Rogers Media as a win-win,” said Cal Millar,
President and COO, Channel Zero Inc. “This transaction represents an
excellent opportunity for Channel Zero to put itself in a position to
take advantage of more immediate-term growth opportunities.”

About Rogers Media Inc.
Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications Inc., (TSX: RCI;
NYSE: RCI), operates Rogers Broadcasting Limited and Rogers
Publishing Limited. Rogers Broadcasting has 55 AM and FM radio
stations across Canada. Television properties include five Citytv
stations, five OMNI multicultural television stations, Sportsnet
(consisting of four regional channels and the nationally-distributed
Sportsnet ONE), and The Shopping Channel, a televised and internet
shopping service. Rogers Publishing produces many well-known consumer
magazines, such as Maclean’s, Chatelaine, Flare, L’actualit , and
Canadian Business, and is the leading publisher of a number of
industry, medical and financial publications. All media properties are
integrated with their own popular websites. Rogers Media Inc. owns
Rogers Centre stadium, a year-round sports and entertainment facility,
and the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club.

SOURCE Rogers Media Inc.

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