Astral Media Makes $1 Million Commitment to MS Society of Canada

Donation allows MS Society to run full scale ad campaign

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(EMWNews – July 16, 2008) –

Editors Note: An audio clip is included with this press release.

Astral Media Inc. (TSX:ACM.A)(TSX:ACM.B) and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada today announced a partnership where Astral Media will donate more than $1 million in advertising space to the MS Society. The pledge has been made to help draw attention to the MS Society’s work in funding research to end multiple sclerosis and to raise awareness of the most common neurological disease which affects many Canadians.

“We believe strongly in this campaign and are pleased to play a role in making it successful,” said Ian Greenberg, president and CEO of Astral Media. “We are confident that the visibility offered through our various media platforms will help draw attention to this devastating disease which affects so many Canadian men, women and children. It is our goal to support MS researchers in finding the cause and cure to end MS.”

The MS Society of Canada will utilize Astral Media’s extensive media properties to promote its new endMS capital campaign. The objective of the campaign is to raise $60 million in support of MS research activities in Canada. The sponsored ads direct people to donate via www.endMS.ca.

“Astral Media has always been an outstanding corporate citizen and a long-time supporter of the Society. As such we are excited to partner with them,” said Rick Waugh, president and CEO of Scotiabank and honourary chair of the endMS campaign. “Through this generous sponsorship package, we fully expect to enhance the profile of the MS cause and direct more funds to research.”

The ad campaign launched this month on Astral Media’s national network of 82 radio stations and more than 10 English- and French-language television networks. The endMS capital campaign is also featured on advertising faces across Ontario and Quebec, as well as on a large number of Astral Media’s 70 websites.

– View the endMS television spot: http://endms.ca/astral/endms_psa.html

– Listen to the endMS radio spot.: http://endms.ca/astral/endms_radio.html

– View endMS web ads: http://endms.ca/astral/endms_ad.html

– View endMS outdoor ads: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28406606@N06/2649786193/

“On behalf of the 55,000 to 75,000 Canadians living with MS, I extend my gratitude to Astral Media and its employees,” said Yves Savoie, president and CEO of the MS Society. “We are truly grateful that they support our vision to end MS.”

About multiple sclerosis and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease. Please visit www.mssociety.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 to make a donation or for more information.

About Astral Media

Astral Media is one of Canada’s leading media companies, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising and iMedia. Astral Media’s solid and dynamic presence in the country’s major markets rests on its commitment to offer a unique combination of high-quality, targeted media for all its audiences. To learn more, visit www.astralmedia.com.

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