Alliance Atlantis Prepares To Launch Eight Digital Specialty Channels

Business Wire, June 4, 2001

Business Editors

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2001

Health Network Canada, BBC Canada, BBC Kids, D.I.Y.

Canada, National Geographic Channel, Showcase Action, Showcase

Romance, Showcase Classics

ALLIANCE ATLANTIS COMMUNICATIONS INC. (ALLIANCE ATLANTIS) (NASDAQ:AACB) (TSE:AAC.A.) (TSE:AAC.B.) announced today its plans to launch eight new digital specialty channels for Fall 2001. Included in this group is Category 1 channel Health Network Canada, and Category 2 channels National Geographic Channel, BBC CANADA, BBC Kids, D.I.Y. Canada, and a package of movie channels , Showcase Action, Showcase Romance and Showcase Classics.

ALLIANCE ATLANTIS has also applied to transfer the ownership (pending CRTC approval) of Category 1 service, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), through its acquisition of Salter Street Films.

"The introduction of these new channels will bring viewers a wealth of contemporary, compelling, high-quality programs - many of which have never been broadcast in Canada," says Phyllis Yaffe, Chief Executive Officer of ALLIANCE ATLANTIS Broadcasting Inc. "Names like BBC and National Geographic represent some of the world's most prestigious television brands and now they have a Canadian home."

Among the new channels are:

Health Network Canada, wholly owned by ALLIANCE ATLANTIS, is a trusted source of the most compelling and entertaining programming about the wonders of medical science and the human body.

National Geographic Channel, a partnership between ALLIANCE ATLANTIS and NGC Network International, LLC, will bring one of the world's best-known brands into the homes of Canadian television viewers. With unsurpassed cinematography and access to some of the world's most remote destinations, National Geographic Channel brings viewers adventure, exploration, culture, science and wildlife.

BBC CANADA, a partnership between ALLIANCE ATLANTIS and Worldwide Channel Investments (Ontario) Limited, will bring viewers the very best of British television from one of the world's leading broadcasters. BBC CANADA will offer a contemporary feast of edgy comedies and dramas, as well as classic favourites .

BBC Kids, a partnership between ALLIANCE ATLANTIS and Worldwide Channel Investments (Ontario) Limited [pending the approval, as is usual under the BBC's Royal Charter, of the BBC Board of Governors and the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)], will offer Canadians an engaging lineup of great children's programming from one of the world's leading broadcasters.

D.I.Y. Canada, a partnership between ALLIANCE ATLANTIS, The E.W. Scripps Company and Corus Entertainment Inc., is designed for the do-it-yourselfer of all levels. D.I.Y Canada programming will offer simultaneous on-line access to detailed step-by-step instructions, in-depth demonstrations and practical tips for a wide variety of do-it-yourself projects - from car care to will preparation to installing a new kitchen sink.

Showcase Action, Showcase Romance and Showcase Classics will combine to create the ultimate package for movie lovers. Showcase Action and Showcase Romance are wholly owned by ALLIANCE ATLANTIS. Showcase Classics is a partnership with Corus Entertainment Inc. Showcase Action guarantees adrenaline-packed, high-speed programming with the best in action and adventure movies and series; Showcase Romance will bring viewers a star-studded lineup of heartthrobs in some of the hottest love stories of all time and Showcase Classics will go retro with the best movies and TV series of yesteryear.

The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is Canada's first English-language channel dedicated to the best of independent film from Canada, the U.S. and around the world -- including cutting-edge feature films, award-winning shorts, documentaries, and a behind-the-scenes-look at some of the world's hottest film festivals. IFC will also offer a window on the world of filmmaking and showcase established filmmakers, as well as the work of up-and-coming talent.

ALLIANCE ATLANTIS Communications Inc. is a leading broadcaster, creator and distributor of filmed entertainment with significant ownership interests in eight Canadian specialty television networks. The Company's principal business activities are conducted through three operating groups: Broadcast, Motion Pictures and Television. Headquartered in Toronto, Alliance Atlantis operates offices in Los Angeles, Edmonton, Montreal, Halifax, Shannon, London and Sydney. The Company's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange - trading symbols AAC.A, AAC.B and on NASDAQ - trading symbol AACB. The Company's Web site is www.allianceatlantis.com.

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