One of the best comedies currently on television has just been renewed.  FX announced today that the hilarious animated series Archer has been picked up for a 13-episode fifth season.  Season four is currently in the midst of airing on the network, and ratings have continued to climb.  Compared to season two, this season has posted ratings gains of +44% in the adults 18-34 demo and +36% in the adults 18-49 demo.  Moreover, the show continues to shine creatively as the exploits of the titular character (voiced H. Jon Benjamin) are as entertaining as ever under the direction of creator/showrunner Adam Reed and executive producer Matt Thompson.

Hit the jump to read the full press release, and click here to read Dave’s report from last month’s Archer Live! event.  7 episodes remain in the current fourth season, with the two-part season finale set to air on April 4th and April 11th.

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Here's the press release: 

ARCHER GETS SEASON FIVE PICK-UP FROM FX

Current Fourth Season of Archer Is Achieving All-Time Ratings Highs

Posting Gains of +44% in Adults 18-34 and +36% in Adults 18-49 vs. Last Season 

Seven All-New Episodes of Archer Remain in Season Four with Two-Part Season Finale Airing April 4 and April 11

LOS ANGELES, February 27, 2013 – FX has ordered season five of its critically-acclaimed animated comedy series Archer, it was announced today by Nick Grad, Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Development, FX.   The network has ordered 13 episodes for the series’ fifth season.

Archer was created by Adam Reed and Floyd County Productions and it is executive produced by Reed and Matthew Thompson.  Seven all-new episodes of Archer remain in season four, which wraps up on Thursday, April 11 at 10:00 PM E/P.  This year Archer will enter into the category of Outstanding Comedy Series for the Emmy® Awards.

Archer is one the very best comedy series on television,” said Grad.  “Adam Reed, Matt Thompson and the incredible cast – H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Jessica Walter, Chris Parnell, Judy Greer, Amber Nash, George Coe, and Lucky Yates – are comedic geniuses.  It is truly rewarding the way in which the audience and fans have embraced their work and that the ratings to continue to grow.  The quality of Archer is undeniable.”

When notified of the season five pick-up, Reed said, “Thank God.”

When Reed notified Thompson of the season five pick-up, Thompson replied, “Called it.”

Archer has posted dramatic ratings growth every year and season four of the series is on record pace.  In 2013, Archer ranks as cable’s #2 series in delivery of Men 18-34 behind The Walking Dead, and it has ranked as television’s #1 program in that demo in the Thursday, 10 PM time period in four of the past six weeks (Live+Same Day). Through four episodes this season, Archer is posting gains of +44% in Adults 18-34 and +36% in Adults 18-49 compared to its season three average. First-run episodes ofArcher are averaging 2.37 Million Total Viewers; 2.01 million Adults 18-49, and 1.41 million Adults 18-34 (L+7).  In comparison to the Archer’s first season, four season in the series has increased its audience by +92% in Total Viewers, +129% in Adults 18-34, +159% in Men 18-34, +128% in Adults 18-49, and +160% in Men 18-49 (L+7).*

Archer is produced by FX Productions.  In February 2012, FX Productions closed an overall production deal with the series’ Executive Producers, Adam Reed and Matt Thompson, and their animation studio, Floyd County Productions.