Network orders fifth season of summer hit

With its fourth season finale just around the corner, "So You Think You Can Dance" has been picked up for a fifth summer run on FOX.

"So You Think You Can Dance" has evolved into a reliable seasonal performer for FOX, so its renewal was something of a foregone conclusion.

"We're delighted to have 'Dance' back for a fifth season next year," says Mike Darnell, FOX's unscripted programming guru. "FOX is very lucky to have television's preeminent performance competitions in 'American Idol' and 'So You Think You Can Dance,' and it's no coincidence that creator and executive producer Simon Fuller and executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe have been a part of both these successes."

Airing on Wednesday and Thursday nights, "So You Think You Can Dance" has helped anchor FOX's summer programming, with both telecasts ranking among the summer's Top Five regular programs in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34. The competition show regularly wins its timeslots in all key demos.

"So You Think You Can Dance" has also been nominated for four Emmys, including three nods in the outstanding choreography field, a category the show won last year.

FOX will blow out four hours of primetime programming with this week's "SYTYCD" finale. The season's Final Four dancers -- Courtney Galiano, Stephen "Twitch" Boss, Katee Shean and Joshua Allen -- will showcase their skills for viewer votes on Wednesday (Aug. 6) night, with the results the following evening. The show's live tour will then kick off on Saturday, Sept. 20 in Tacoma, Washington.