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| May 23 2001 |
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| Vision TV and ALLIANCE ATLANTIS Reach Agreement for Upcoming Wisdom Channel |
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| ALLIANCE ATLANTIS Purchases 29.9% Ownership Stake |
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| May 23, 2001 - TORONTO – ALLIANCE ATLANTIS Communications Inc. (ALLIANCE ATLANTIS) and Vision TV Digital (Vision TV) announced an agreement today in which ALLIANCE ATLANTIS will acquire a 29.9 per cent interest in Wisdom: The Body, Mind & Spirit Channel (Wisdom), Vision TV’s upcoming Category 1 digital specialty channel. |
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| ALLIANCE ATLANTIS also maintains an option to purchase an additional 3.4 per cent interest in the channel, for which a new name will soon be announced. |
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| "As we prepare for the launch of Wisdom on September 7, now as a 100 per cent Canadian owned service, we are confident that, through our new relationship with ALLIANCE ATLANTIS, we will be able to develop some excellent co-marketing and promotion opportunities with its other specialty channels," said Bill Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Vision TV and Wisdom. "Moreover, we are doubly pleased to retain the programming partnership with Wisdom Media, U.S. This will enhance our scope for North American and other international ventures from a purely Canadian base of operations. Indeed, it is the best of both worlds." |
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| Wisdom will feature programming devoted to the interconnectedness between body, mind and spirit. Among its programs will be shows on environmentally sustainable living, new and ancient options to wellness, advances in nutrition and spiritual healing and advice on healthy relationships. |
| "ALLIANCE ATLANTIS sees a great opportunity to work with Wisdom as part of the launch of our new digital channels, particularly in a complementary way with The Health Network Canada," said Phyllis Yaffe, Chief Executive Officer, ALLIANCE ATLANTIS Broadcasting Inc. "Wisdom is also a good fit with our entire lifestyle category of channels that are designed to inform and entertain Canadians about all aspects of healthy living." |
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| ALLIANCE ATLANTIS’ Broadcasting Group currently owns, either wholly or in part, eight specialty television networks – Showcase, Life Network, Home & Garden Television (HGTV Canada), History Television, Series+, Historia, Headline Sports and Food Network Canada. |
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| In November 2000, ALLIANCE ATLANTIS was granted a number of licences for digital specialty channels including: Health Network Canada, National Geographic Canada, BBC Canada, BBC Kids, and three movie themed channels: Classics, Romance and Action. In addition, ALLIANCE ATLANTIS recently applied to the CRTC for permission to acquire control of The Independent Film Channel Canada, in connection with its recent purchase of Salter Street Films Limited. |
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| About Wisdom: The Body, Mind & Spirit Channel Wisdom:The Body, Mind & Spirit Channel is a digital television service that presents entertaining television and Web-based content about personal growth, alternative health and making a positive difference in the world around us. Partners in the new channel are: Vision TV Digital Inc., ALLIANCE ATLANTIS, Radio Nord Communications Inc. and Renewal Partners Company. Vision TV Digital Inc. is the lead partner and manager of the service. |
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| About Vision TV Vision TV is an independent not-for-profit public service broadcaster that celebrates diversity and promotes understanding by presenting entertaining and insightful television and multimedia content focused on faiths, cultures, social and humanitarian issues. |
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| About ALLIANCE ATLANTIS Communications
Inc. 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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| Contacts |
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| Ted
Bravakis, Corporate Communications Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. tel: (416) 934 5247 e-mail: ted.bravakis@allianceatlantis.com |
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| Alberta
Nokes, Vice President, Communications Vision TV tel: (416) 368-3194 e-mail: anokes@visiontv.ca |
| Sue
Bowen, Director, Communications Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting Inc. tel: (416) 967-4686 email: sue.bowen@allianceatlantis.com |
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| Media Contact: Ariel Lang, Mgr. Media Relations (416) 368-3194, ext. 506 alang@visiontv.ca |