[CANWEST GLOBAL COMMUINICATIONS CORP. LOGO]

                                  NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release
February 16, 2006

                  CANWEST EXPANDS RADIO PRESENCE IN NEW ZEALAND


WINNIPEG -- CanWest Global Communications Corp. announced today that its 70%
owned New Zealand media operation, CanWest MediaWorks (NZ) Limited, has agreed
to purchase Q92FM serving the fast-growing areas of Queenstown, the Wakatipu
Basin and Central Otaga. The transaction is expected to close on or about March
1, 2006 following receipt of certain regulatory approvals.

Tom Strike, President of CanWest MediaWorks International, said "This further
demonstrates the Company's continued commitment to pursue accretive acquisitions
while extending our brands into strategic markets. Q92FM will be combined into
the existing radio operations of CanWest MediaWorks."

CanWest Global Communications Corp. (NYSE: CWG; TSX: CGS.SV and CGS.NV,
www.canwestglobal.com), an international media company, is Canada's largest
media company. CanWest is Canada's largest publisher of daily newspapers, and
also owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests in conventional
television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels, web sites and
radio stations and networks in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the United
Kingdom and Ireland.

For more information:
Geoffrey Elliot
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
CanWest Global Communications Corp.
Tel:  +1 204 956-2025
Fax: +1 204 947-9841
gelliot@canwest.com