Canwest and ABC join forces with E1 Entertainment on original series, COPPER

Production on 13 episodes begins in Toronto, June 2009

LOS ANGELES and TORONTO, April 22 - Leading independent studio, E1 Entertainment announced today the Canwest original drama series COPPER has been picked up by ABC for broadcast in the United States. The 13 episode series will air on Global Television in Canada.

COPPER is a youthful, heartfelt, one-hour, character-driven workplace drama about five rookie cops plunged into the high stakes world of big city policing - a world where even the smallest mistake can have life-or-death consequences. The series follows them just out of the police academy where they bonded together, fought together, drank together, worked together and slept together. And now they're on the job together. They're kids with guns, learning firsthand the hardest kind of policing there is. They are first responders and they are about to learn that no amount of training prepares you for life.

"When we initially commissioned the pilot and then the series, we knew it was a high-calibre production and worthy of international audiences." said Barbara Williams, Executive Vice President Content, Canwest Broadcasting. "We could not be happier with the partnership and are confident that E1 will deliver a great show for Global and ABC to simulcast."

"This project, co-created with Morwyn Berbner,Ellen Vanstone and Tassie Cameron, who will also serve as series showrunner, arose out of our overall deal with Executive Producer Ilana Frank and her company, Thump, Inc." said John Moryaniss, E1 Television's CEO. "Securing a 13 episode series order, from two premier networks, is a testament to E1's position as a leading creative supplier of programming. Our ability to combine our creative auspices, business acumen and alternative sources of financing makes our shows very appealing to US buyers."

COPPER, a Thump Inc/E1 Entertainment Production is co-created by Morwyn Berbner, Ellen Vanstone and Tassie Cameron, (Season 1 showrunner of the CBS/CTV hit series Flashpoint). Cameron also serves as executive producer along with Ilana Frank (Would be Kings) of Thump Inc and E1 Entertainment's John Morayniss and Noreen Halpern. E1 Entertainment, the studio behind COPPER is the worldwide distributor for the series.

Continuing to build on its strategy to create high end television content with great partners, COPPER is the fourth series from E1 including the highly-anticipated HBO series HUNG, the recent CBS pick-up THE BRIDGE and F/X comedy hit series, TESTEES.

About E1 Entertainment

E1 Entertainment (AIM: ETO) is a leading independent entertainment content owner that acquires film, television and music rights and exploits these rights in all media in more than 190 countries. The company currently operates in Canada, the U.S., the UK, Holland and Belgium through its four primary businesses units: E1 Television, E1 Films, E1 Music and E1 Distribution. These businesses collectively represent E1's extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production/distribution, Kids content, Licensing and Distribution. E1's content library includes more than 3,700 feature films, 2,700 hours of original television programming and 15,000 music tracks.

About Canwest Broadcasting

Canwest Broadcasting operates two conventional television networks, Global Television and E!, and 18 of the country's most popular specialty channels, including HGTV, Mystery TV, National Geographic Channel, Showcase, History Television, Food Network and TVtropolis. Canwest Broadcasting is a division of Canwest Media Inc.

About Canwest Originals:

Canwest is the proud home of the most diverse slate of Canadian Original programs across the Dramatic, Lifestyle and Entertainment genres. As a steadfast supporter of the Canadian production community, Canwest is dedicated to bringing the best of the country to audiences nationwide - including award winning shows such as; Project Runway Canada, Da Kink In My Hair, The Guard, Sarah's House, Holmes on Homes, Restaurant Makeover, Billable Hours, Kenny vs. Spenny, and the nation's number one entertainment newsmagazine Entertainment Tonight Canada.