Voting now open for the 2012 Shaw Rocket Prize

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Oct. 12, 2012) - Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX:SJR.B) (NYSE:SJR)

Jump into the world of Dino Dan and dirtgirlworld and help decide which children's program will be the recipient of this year's Shaw Rocket Prize.

The Shaw Rocket Prize is one of the key initiatives of the Shaw Rocket Fund, a not-for-profit corporation that focuses on excellence in the production of children's programming. With an award of $50,000, the Shaw Rocket Prize is presented each year to an independently-produced Canadian children's, youth, or family program and its associated digital content.

Kids across the country will vote for the winner of the eighth annual Shaw Rocket Prize. By voting, kids 12 and under are entered to win one of four $2,500 scholarships donated by Shaw. Voters can also submit their own video for a chance to win a trip to Ottawa to attend the winner announcement on November 27.

"The Shaw Rocket Fund and the Prize help ensure the development of Canadian grown content for children everywhere to enjoy - whether it's on TV or online," said Peter Bissonnette, President, Shaw Communications Inc. "We are proud to support the development of children's programming and help nurture the next generation of creative and engaged minds."

In August, Canadian producers were asked to submit their programming and digital content for judging by two panels. The finalists programs are selected by international industry experts, including: Andrew Beecham, Sprout/PBS; Julien Borde, France 3; Jules Borkent, Nickelodeon; Layla Lewis, Turner International Asia Pacific; and Larry Schwarz, Larry Schwarz and his Band. The following finalists were recently announced in Cannes, France during the MIPJunior international kids programming conference:

• Justin Time
• Stella and Sam - Season 2
• La Est La Question!
• My Babysitter's a Vampire - Season 1
• That's So Weird - Season 3

Voting by kids is now open to decide which of the above finalists will win the $50,000 winner-take-all Shaw Rocket Prize. Parents can sign up their children under 12 for the kids' jury by visiting www.rocketprize.ca. Once registered, kids will be asked to screen and vote for their favourite Shaw Rocket Prize finalist. The winning program will be announced on November 29 in Ottawa.

"Every year we are encouraged by the increased interest from Canadian families to participate in the Shaw Rocket Prize," said Agnes Augustin, President and CEO of the Shaw Rocket Fund. "This initiate gives children, the audience, a say in what they think is the best in Canadian programming and we are proud to see it grow."

For more information about Shaw's contributions in your community or the Shaw Rocket Prize, please visit www.shaw.ca or www.rocketprize.ca.

About Shaw Communications Inc.

Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 19 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, History Television and Showcase. 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). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.

About Shaw Rocket Fund

The Shaw Rocket Fund is a forward-thinking, not-for-profit production fund that focuses on stimulating excellence in the Canadian children's production industry through investment and various initiatives such as the much celebrated Shaw Rocket Prize. The Fund is a passionate champion for the children's production sector to ensure that Canadian children's media experience is enhanced with high quality programming, recognizing that entertainment for kids has become a multi-platform experience and part of children's everyday lives. To date, the Shaw Rocket Fund has proudly invested $134 million towards high quality television programs and their associated digital media content. Shaw Rocket Fund is supported by Shaw Communications, Shaw Pay Per View, a division of the Shaw Cablesystems, and Shaw Direct.