EXHIBIT 1

                   [CANWEST GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS CORP. LOGO]
                                  NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
December 3, 2003

       NETWORK TEN REPORTS RECORD EBITDA FOR FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 2004
     Higher dividend will further increase second quarter cash distributions
                                   to CanWest

Winnipeg - CanWest Global Communications Corp. announced today that its
Australian media operation, Network TEN, had recorded another record quarter for
the three-month period ended November 30, 2003. TEN's quarterly earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose to A$105 million
compared to A$74 million for the corresponding quarter last year, a gain of 37%.
The dramatic EBITDA increase was fueled in large part by a 20% increase in
television revenues at TEN.

In the light of these excellent results, TEN announced an increase in its
December interim dividend payment to A$0.097 per share from the A$0.08 per share
dividend forecast earlier this year. The interim dividend is in addition to a
special dividend of A$0.055 per share, which TEN had previously declared. As a
result of the increase in the interim dividend, total cash distributions to
CanWest in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 increase to A$102 million from the
A$93 million previously estimated.

TEN expects to declare its second dividend in respect of its 2004 fiscal year in
June 2004.

Leonard Asper, CanWest's President and Chief Executive Officer, attending TEN's
annual general meeting in Sydney said "TEN has made an exceptional start to the
year. These outstanding results were driven by TEN's brilliant programming
strategy, excellent television ratings, and increased audience share, all in a
very strong Australian advertising market. TEN continues to dominate its target
16-39 year old demographic, while growing audiences among all viewers in
Australia. We fully expect this strong positive momentum to continue as the year
progresses."

TEN's Executive Chairman, Nick Falloon, pointed out that the record results for
the quarter were achieved in a challenging programming environment, which
included stiff competition from the Rugby World Cup, hosted by Australia. "We
are extremely pleased with the ratings success of our domestic programs, such as
Australian Idol and Big Brother and a solid mix of Australian drama and sports,
together with international hits such as The Simpson's, Everybody Loves Raymond
and Punk'd," Falloon said.

This press release contains certain comments or forward-looking statements that
are based largely on the Company's current expectations and are subject to
certain risks, trends and uncertainties. These factors could cause actual future
performance to vary materially from current expectations.

CanWest Global Communications Corp. (NYSE: CWG; TSX: CGS.S and CGS.A,
www.canwestglobal.com) is an international media company. CanWest, Canada's
largest publisher of daily newspapers, owns, operates and/or holds substantial
interests in newspapers, conventional television, out-of-home advertising,
specialty cable channels, websites and radio stations and networks in Canada,
New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The Company's program
production and distribution division operates in several countries throughout
the world.

For more information, please contact:


                                           
Geoffrey Elliot                           or     John Maguire
Vice President, Corporate Affairs                Chief Financial Officer
Tel:   (204) 956-2025                            Tel:  (204) 956-2025
Fax:  (204) 947-9841                             Fax:  (204) 947-9841
gelliot@canwest.com                              jmaguire@canwest.com