Shaw Direct First in Canada to Launch AMC in HD

Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX:SJR.B) (NYSE:SJR) -

From hot new episodes of Mad Men to top films from every genre, Shaw Direct customers will be the first in Canada to watch AMC in High Definition (AMC HD) starting September 1, 2009.

"Shaw Direct is leading the way in bringing high value HD programming and award-winning local service to Quebec residents. For more than eight years, we have been building a loyal customer base in Quebec and we are excited to be the first Canadian satellite company to offer AMC in HD to our customers," said Peter Bissonnette, President, Shaw Communications Inc. "We are committed to growth in Quebec and are continuing to expand our local workforce at our new Shaw Direct facility in central Montreal and our exceptional French language programming packages."

Shaw Direct HD customers will enjoy three free months of AMC HD, offering viewers outstanding original programming, including episodes from season three of the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning series, Mad Men, Emmy award-winning series Breaking Bad and the highly-anticipated mini-series The Prisoner in November. AMC HD will also offer movie buffs extensive film choices in broad-based genres from every decade.

From December the channel will be available as part of Shaw Direct's HD Extra package.

Committed to providing quality entertainment coupled with award winning customer service without contracts, Shaw Direct offers nearly 900,000 subscribers over 470 channels, including more than 50 HD channels, and 100% Canadian 24/7/365 customer service. Shaw Direct is a three time recipient of the top Service Quality Management (SQM) award for customer satisfaction in the North American telecommunications industry over the last 4 years.

For more information on Shaw Direct visit SHAWDIRECT.CA, or your interactive program guide.

About Shaw Communications Inc.

Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications company whose core business is providing broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Digital Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business Solutions) and satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct). The Company serves 3.4 million customers, including over 1.6 million Internet and 775,000 Digital Phone customers, through a reliable and extensive network, which comprises 625,000 kilometres of fibre. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (TSX:SJR.B) (NYSE:SJR).

SOURCE: Shaw Communications Inc.

Shaw Communications Inc.
Investor Relations
Email: Investor.relations@sjrb.ca
Website: www.shaw.ca

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