Astral Media Pledges $700,000 Over Seven Years To MusiCounts

MONTREAL, Nov. 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Astral Media Inc. (TSX: ACM.A/ACM.B) is pleased to announce a $700,000 contribution over seven years to MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity associated with CARAS (Canadian Academy of Arts and Science). This long-term pledge will help provide brand new musical instruments and support young talent by promoting and nurturing music programs in elementary and secondary schools throughout the country. Over the course of this seven-year commitment, music programs in 70 schools will receive $10,000 grants providing them unprecedented access to brand new musical instruments, impacting approximately 20,000 students over the years.

"Astral Media recognizes that building a thriving Canadian music industry starts at its very roots, in the schools where young people have the opportunity to learn how to express themselves creatively and develop an interest in music. We are very pleased to be able to help MusiCounts provide the tools of this educational process,'' said Rob Braide, Vice-President, Branding/Communications and Industry Relations, Astral Media Radio.

"We are grateful to Astral Media for their generous support," said Srinka Wallia, Executive Director, MusiCounts. "This contribution to the Band Aid program will have a significant impact by giving thousands of new students the opportunity to pursue their love of music, gain access to new instruments, and receive the encouragement they need to develop their talent and dream big, regardless of their socio-economic circumstance and cultural background."

Beyond this significant commitment, Astral Media is proud to announce that a national radio campaign in both English and French is being launched today on the Company's 81 radio stations across the country. This campaign, featuring famous artists such as Gregory Charles and Kevin Parent, aims at raising the awareness of Canadians on the importance of music education in schools through a series of public service announcement ads.

Astral Media will give $100,000 per year to MusiCounts, in line with the conditions laid down by the CRTC upon its purchase of Standard Broadcasting, completed October 29, 2007. The acquisition's benefits package earmarked over $62 million in investments for the promotion of Canadian talent and Canadian creativity.

Astral Media is one of Canada's leading media companies, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising and interactive media. Since its inception, Astral Media has invested over $1.2 billion in the support and development of Canadian culture. Astral Media has a 25-year history as the country's largest private investor in English- and French-language television and music content; financing every stage of film production and investing to showcase Canadian music talents, in particular nurturing emerging talents. Astral Media prides itself on ensuring critical support for the promotion of Canadian culture from coast-to-coast.

MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity associated with CARAS, is helping to keep music alive in schools across Canada. MusiCounts' mission is to ensure that children in Canada have access to a comprehensive music program through their school. MusiCounts includes Band Aid musical instrument grants, the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, Scholarships and other music education initiatives. Since the Program's establishment in 1997, over $3 million has been donated, impacting 190 post-secondary music program graduates and close to 200,000 students, their schools and communities from coast to coast. For more information, please visit: www.musicounts.ca

Contacts

Hugues Mousseau
Senior Advisor
Internal and Corporate Communications
Astral Media Inc.
(514) 939-5000
ext. 3240

Tiffany Astle
Holmes Creative Communications (for MusiCounts)
(416) 628-5603
tastle@hccink.com