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Corus Ent. Multiplatform Projects Bolstered By Bell Fund

Corus Ent. Inc. has received four production grants from the Feb. 1, 2006 round of applications to the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund.

Corus Ent. is committed to being everywhere kids are. Our kids brands are prominent in television and we recognize that in the new multiscreen universe, kids are moving fluidly from one media platform to another, said Paul Robertson, president, television, Corus Ent. The Bell Fund supports and enables Corus strategy to promote and extend our audiences branded entertainment experience onto as many existing, new and emerging platforms as possible.

Corus-owned animation studio Nelvana garnered production funding for its fantasy-adventure series DI-GATA DEFENDERS, set to launch Fall 2006 on TELETOON in Canada. The 2D animated series follows the adventures of four young heroes on a quest to save their Realm and defeat the forces of evil in a series of Di-Gata battles. The Bell Fund will also support an immersive Di-Gata website and a game for web and mobile with an integrated multiplayer component and a real-world connection. These efforts are being developed jointly by Nelvana and interactive producer Tribal Nova.

At the end of the day, content drives our business. Nelvanas fully digital studio allows us to produce and distribute immersive programming that translates across all delivery platforms, said Scott Dyer, evp of production and development, Nelvana. DI-GATA DEFENDERS is one of many series at Nelvana whose creative works well for mobile and handheld channels.

Two YTV programs also received broadcast and new media support from the Bell FundCCI Ent.s Erky Perky and season two of Captain Flamingo, a Breakthrough Animation, Heroic Film Company, Atomic Cartoons and Philippine Animators Group co-production.

Digital Wizards and Omnilab Australia will produce an ERKYPERKY web experience, integrated into ytv.com that offers fans of the show the experience of scripting, directing and editing their own episode of ERKY PERKY. The 13x30 series features two bugs who are forced to survive in the new and scary suburban land of Kitchen.

In addition to moving forward on a second season of animated comedy CAPTAIN FLAMINGO, Breakthroughs New Media division will develop mission-based scrolling action and puzzle games, available on YTV.com and through iTV. Game scores will be transferable from one platform to another. CAPTAIN FLAMINGO (52x30) follows the adventures of a boy who dons his flamingo gear to become a superhero to other kids with problems.

On the preschool front, a new marblemedia and Sinking Ship Prod., THIS IS EMILY YEUNG the follow-up to the wildly successful THIS IS DANIEL COOK receives both production and website funding. TreehouseTV.com will offer THIS IS EMILY YEUNG customized games and activities. Kids can design an environment and avatar of their own with This is You. THIS IS EMILY YEUNG (65x6 or 2x30), which launches fall 2006 on Treehouse, features six-year-old host Emily meeting and interviewing famous and not-so-famous people from the arts, science, sports, transport, food and performance communities.

The Bell Fund provides grants to Canadian independent producers who develop and produce outstanding television content complemented and enhanced by innovative, interactive content designed for digital delivery. These new media projects reflect state-of-the-art technology and are helping traditional television producers and broadcasters to discover the value added benefits of a web presence.

The Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund receives annual contributions of approximately $8M from Bell ExpressVu as part of its broadcast distribution undertaking (BDU) contributions to the industry. In addition, the Development Program is supported by the interest generated by a $10M endowment resulting from BCE-CTV benefits. The Bell Fund is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, governed by an independent Board of Directors representing various sectors of the television and new media industry. The Fund is administered by the Independent Production Fund.

Corus Ent. Inc. is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and radio. Corus also owns Nelvana Ltd., a leading international producer and distributor of children's programming and products. The company's other interests include publishing, television broadcasting and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto and New York Exchanges. Cmore information can be found at www.corusentertainment.com.

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