CBC Television is hoping to tempt daytime audiences with fresh offerings including a new lifestyle show hosted by Canuck design duo Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman and The Martha Stewart Show, which both headline the pubcaster’s 2007/08 daytime slate. The schedule was unveiled at a press conference at the Ceeb’s Toronto headquarters on Wednesday.

Programming boss Kirstine Layfield says the network is hoping to capitalize on the popularity of Sabados and Hyndman, who have hosted Designer Guys and Design Rivals, both on HGTV Canada, as well as the style makeover show So Chic on Slice. ‘They come with a built-in audience, and that’s a great thing for us because we want to build on that loyalty, that following,’ says Layfield.

The as-yet-unnamed show – which will feature fashion, lifestyle, fitness and cooking segments – is currently in rehearsals and will debut on CBC in January in the 2 pm time slot. That slot is occupied in the fall by Wind at My Back.

The syndicated Martha Stewart Show debuts Monday at 11 am, in the time slot formerly held by the defunct Gill Deacon Show, which was cancelled in May after it failed to draw viewers. ‘It was our first attempt at capturing the elusive daytime audience, and it did not connect,’ Layfield explains.

Rounding out daytime programming is CBC News: Today, airing daily at noon, followed by the regional series Living In… and the Great Canadian Food Show at 3 pm. Late afternoons will re-run comedy imports including Frasier, The Simpsons and Arrested Development.

CBC’s kids’ roster returns with two new shows, the CG-animated preschool series Bo on the Go! and the ‘playful’ interstitials Kids’ Canada, which will appear between shows during the 7-11 am block with host Patty Sullivan. Returning children’s series, including Busytown Mysteries, Animalia and Magi-Nation, round out the kids’ block.

From Playback Daily