FOX may have cancelled America’s Most Wanted as a regular TV series but it doesn’t look like Lifetime is planning to do the same any time soon. The cable channel that predominantly targets a women audience is having great success with the criminal-catching show. They’ve now ordered 20 additional episodes.

Lifetime ordered 20 episodes when they picked up the show in December and those are scheduled to finish airing on April 13th. It’s unclear if these new installments will be added to season 25 or if they’ll end up being season 26 (the latter seems most likely). Either way, John Walsh and his team will be helping to catch felons for a long time to come.

FOX’s next two-hour America’s Most Wanted special airs on Saturday, April 21st.

Here’s the official press release with additional details:

LIFETIME ORDERS 20 ADDITIONAL EPISODES OF JOHN WALSH’S VENERABLE CRIME-FIGHTING SERIES “AMERICA’S MOST WANTED”

NEW YORK, NY/WASHINGTON, DC (March 13, 2012) – Lifetime has ordered 20 additional episodes of John Walsh’s venerable crime-fighting series America’s Most Wanted, it was announced today by Rob Sharenow, Executive Vice President, Programming, of Lifetime Networks. The program airs weekly on Lifetime on Fridays at 9:00pm ET/PT.

“America’s Most Wanted has made an immediate impact on Lifetime and, more importantly, John Walsh’s courageous fight to raise much needed awareness of many overlooked crimes and bring justice to those who commit them,” said Sharenow. “We’re proud to be the home to John and America’s Most Wanted.”

Walsh added, “This is great news for the people I fight for… and horrible news for the criminals we’re working hard to capture. Lifetime and its viewers have been great partners of America’s Most Wanted and we’re going to keep the heat on those who think they can run, but they certainly can’t hide.”

America’s Most Wanted and Lifetime have led to the capture of 12 people profiled on the series since it returned to television in December. Year-over-year, it has improved the January Friday 9:00-10:00pm ET/PT time period by +63% among Adults 25-54 and +35% among Women 25-54.

Since its 1988 premiere America’s Most Wanted has become one of the most important programs on television, having played a major role in the capture of nearly 1,200 fugitives in the U.S. and 30 countries, including 17 on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List, and the rescue of 61 children and missing persons during the program’s history. Aside from its landmark status in the annals of television as a leader in using the medium to apprehend the world’s most dangerous criminals, the series has also shaped legislation and the national dialogue on crime fighting, and received numerous honors for its work. More information on America’s Most Wanted can be found at www.amw.com. Become a fan of America’s Most Wanted on Facebook at www.facebook.com/1800crimetv.

America’s Most Wanted is produced by Walsh Productions and distributed by Twentieth Television, Inc., with Walsh serving as executive producer, along with Rob Sharenow, Gena McCarthy, Abigail Harvey and Jim Rapsas of Lifetime.

ABOUT WALSH PRODUCTIONS

Walsh Productions, based in Washington, DC was founded by John Walsh, who is best known as host of America’s Most Wanted, the show that pioneered reality television. Walsh, the most recognized voice for victim’s rights, has produced primetime series, syndicated programming and movies of the week. Recognized by the past five Presidents for his work, John Walsh is also the author of three bestselling novels. Now, John is bringing his 24 years of network experience to create a new generation of television programming.

ABOUT LIFETIME

Lifetime Television is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television(R), LMN(R), Lifetime Real Women(R) and Lifetime Digital(TM) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC, a subsidiary of A+E Networks. A+E Networks is a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group, Hearst Corporation and NBC Universal.

What do you think? Have you been watching the show on Lifetime? Are you glad to hear more episodes are on the way? Would you like to see more specials on FOX?