Rogers Media’s plans to buy various CHUM properties from CHUM-parent-to-be CTVglobemedia marks a first step toward a new conventional broadcast player in English Canada, although some question the viability of the stations involved.

Canadian stars will get their chance to shine alongside the flashy trailers for upcoming Hollywood fare at ShowCanada 2007, April 24-27 in Niagara Falls, ON. Local talent is being booked to promote upcoming domestic fare at the annual convention of theater owners, although Telefilm Canada, sponsor of the April 26 Canadian gala, couldn’t confirm names by press time.

CTVglobemedia will be front and center on April 30, when the CRTC and its new chairman begin hearings into its buyout of CHUM. The Competition Bureau okayed the deal, and the commission is, depending on whom you ask, expected to either roll over for the CTV parent or to attach any number of conditions on the

• Shaftesbury Sales has closed several deals for Life with Derek, passing the third season (26 x 30) of the family-friendly comedy to broadcasters including the U.K.’s Toonami, Daro in central and eastern Europe, and the Disney Channels in the U.S., Italy, Germany, Latin America and Spain. Previous seasons have also been picked up by the Nickelodeons in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and by Disney Channel in France, among others.

• Raj Shoan is the new senior advisor to CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein, replacing Véronique Lehoux who has moved to the Legal Directorate department.

The Hot Sheet tracks Canadian box-office results for the period March 23-29, 2007, and DVD sales in Canada for the period March 19-25, 2007.

Playback, together with its sister publications and conferences, changed hands on April 4 when the assets of parent Brunico Communications Inc. were bought by a group of investors led by Russell Goldstein.

Global has not renewed its second-window broadcast rights for ReGenesis. They have instead been scooped up by Showcase. Out-of-date information appeared in the April 2 issue.

This year’s broadcast landscape renders new CRTC numbers

Top 20 TV Programs tracks ratings for the top 20 television shows in Canada for the period March 26-April 1, 2007.

Pubcaster introduces interactive component for its NHL playoff coverage, with more plans for fall