Although an official announcement has yet to surface, sources say a third season of Traders is a go.

At press time, confirmation was pending, but word is CanWest Global has signed on for an additional 22 episodes of the Atlantis Communications-produced series.

A 22-episode order ­ almost double the previous two season’s 13-episode contract ­ will bring Traders up to 48 total episodes, edging it towards syndication territory.

Traders to date has been sold to 20 international territories. Lifetime Television in the u.s., which aired the first season of Traders this year, has not renewed its option.

News is not yet forthcoming on the remaining series which make up CanWest’s Canadian production slate. Renewals and cancellations will not likely surface until after the decision on the Quebec applications, which could come before the end of the month.

But the setup is good for three of Atlantis’ syndicated series, all of which are carried by CanWest, which have been renewed for next season south of the border. All American Television has picked up The Adventures of Sinbad. Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal, with Michael Moriarty newly signed as a reoccurring character, is returning as part of Eyemark Entertainment’s stable. Outer Limits, produced by Trilogy and Atlantis and syndicated in the u..s. by mgm, is also in play.

Without a u.s. syndicator and with less than inspiring ratings, the Nelvana/Great North Productions-produced Jake & The Kid may have a steeper climb. Also in flux is CanWest’s New Producers Series, a commitment which flowed from Global’s regional expansion in 1989. An expanded, renewed series was part of the Alberta package proposal.

Ready or Not, produced by Insight Productions, reached the magic 65 episodes this year, hitting the syndication mark. There are no plans to shoot new episodes, confirms Insight Productions’ John Brunton.

Brunton, who is in discussions with CanWest and other broadcasters on a spin-off series and some mows based on the Ready or Not characters, makes the point that as Insight’s primary drama supporter, CanWest has been ‘awesome.’

‘Great creatively and steady in their commitment to a volume of episodes, even when we went through the move from Showtime to Disney a year ago.’