For immediate release OMNI.1 TO BROADCAST WORLD PREMIERE OF "Strong Hearts, Steady Hands" INDEPENDENTLY PRODUCED CANADIAN DOCUMENTARY LONDON, ONTARIO - JANUARY 30, 2004 - Local Executive Producer, Felipe Gomes is pleased to announce the world premiere of his historical documentary "Strong Hearts, Steady Hands", chronicling the story of the Portuguese community in Canada. In consideration of its subject, "Strong Hearts, Steady Hands" will launch first in the Portuguese language, Saturday, February 7th at 9PM on OMNI.1. OMNI Television has scheduled the English version for broadcast at a later date this spring. "We are ecstatic to have the opportunity to share the triumphs and tribulations of the first Portuguese immigrants to Canada. This is a captivating and inspiring story that has never been shared or documented for the public," says Felipe Gomes, executive producer of "Strong Hearts, Steady Hands." "This story would not have seen the light of day if it wasn't for the funding provided by OMNI's Independent Producers Initiative." Acclaimed cinematographer Gary Elmer of Eye Line Cinematography and former CBC TV documentary director Carol Coffey have exquisitely filmed this documentary. Its scenic landscapes are rich and the memories are moving. It acts as a lens for heritage and humanity and is an invaluable time capsule account of this cultural milestone in Canadian society. "Now the many compelling stories of our courageous immigrants and modern-day crusaders can be told through the collective voice of the Portuguese Canadian community -- voices weathered by experience," says Felipe Gomes The documentary, "Strong Hearts, Steady Hands", was made possible with 100% funding from the OMNI Television Independent Producers Initiative. The $32.5 million fund is a seven-year commitment created and made available for the independent productions of third language ethnocultural programming. The fund is not only dedicated to helping Canadian independent producers tell their stories in their language of comfort, but also to make sure that these stories are accessible to other ethno cultural communities through re-versioning in different languages. All are entertaining stories told, and some yet untold, that offer insight and provoke new thinking. These are the stories of ethno cultural groups with a unique Canadian voice. "OMNI television is proud to be the industry's first, and only, major source of funding for the independent production of non-official language programming," says Malcolm Dunlop, Vice President, Programming and Marketing for Rogers Media Television. Interested producers can access funding criteria at OMNI Television's web site: www.omnitv.ca. Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications Inc., (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B; NYSE: RG) operates Rogers Broadcasting and Rogers Publishing. Rogers Broadcasting has 43 AM and FM radio stations across Canada. Television properties include Toronto multicultural television broadcaster CFMT, televised and electronic shopping service, the Shopping Channel, regional sports channel, Rogers Sportsnet and the management of three digital television services. Rogers Publishing produces many well-known consumer magazines such as Maclean’s, Chatelaine, Flare, L’actualité, Canadian Business and is the leading publisher of a number of trade publications. All media properties are integrated with their own popular web sites. - 30 -