"Fringe" Gets a Fourth Season

Despite a seriously low drop in ratings, "Fringe," which was bounced all over Fox's programming schedule, will get a fourth season, great news for fans of television show, this writer among them.

According to the L.A. Times, the 22-episode order comes after the show garnered a series-low 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic for its most recent episode, "Stowaway," down 13 percent from the previous week in which "Fringe" reached a low in viewership with 3.6 million tuning in.

Season to date "Fringe," which stars Anna Torv, John Nobleand Joshua Jackson, has averaged 3.3 million viewers in the ad-favored demographic including its Thursday run, according to Nielsen. So far it has averaged 6.3 million total viewers.

The program -- which follows the adventures of a group of government agents investigating the supernatural side of science -- has been bounced around Fox's schedule for years. It launched on Tuesdays in September 2008, moving to Thursdays at 9 p.m. the following season.

The Fringe team will have another year to

save the universe.

In mid-January, Fox moved "Fringe" from the ultra-competitive Thursday night time period to the otherwise-dead Friday slot, with "Kitchen Nightmares" as its lead-in.

Since premiering on Fridays the series has averaged 4.1 million viewers.

Though ratings have slid since the first season, the show tacks on significant DVR numbers. Through February 20 "Fringe" has seen a 44 percent increase in its key demo rating, rising to a 2.6 (vs. a 1.4) when live-plus-7 numbers are factored in.

Fox entertainment chief Kevin Reilly made his case for the series' survival at the Television Critics Association's semi-annual press tour earlier this year. "It's a fantastic show," he said, "and honestly I'd be heartbroken if it went away."

Executive producer J.H. Wyman tweeted the news, saying "Fringe was picked up!!!! Thanks Fringedom!"