Cable channel ABC Family has renewed their Melissa & Joey sitcom for a second season. Starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, last summer’s debut was ABC Family’s most-watched comedy premiere in total viewers and key demographics.

The cable channel aired a dozen episodes last year and returned with the second part of the season (18 installments) a few weeks ago. The return performed very well too and helped to launch Raven-Symone’s new comedy, State of Georgia.

Via Twitter, Hart wrote, “Yes kids it’s official, we are gearing up for Season 2 of our lil show #melissajoey.” Lawrence excitedly told his fans, “Great News!! #MelissaJoey gets picked up for another season… Thanks all for your support and making it happen #fb”

There’s no word on when season two will air or how many installments have been ordered a this point. Season one episodes of Melissa & Joey will continue to air throughout this summer and into the fall.

ABC FAMILY’S HIT COMEDY “MELISSA & JOEY” PICKED UP FOR 2ND SEASON

Burbank, CA (July 11, 2011) – ABC Family’s hit original comedy “Melissa & Joey,” starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, has been picked up for a second season, ABC Family president Michael Riley announced today. The series, currently completing its first season with 18 all-new episodes throughout this summer and fall, will return for its 2nd season in 2012.

“Melissa and Joey have proven to be a comedic powerhouse, with wonderful chemistry that has resonated with viewers in the tradition of great television pairings,” said Riley. “As our focus on comedy continues to develop, we’re delighted to see it return next year as an integral part of the network’s expanding slate of original series.”

“Melissa & Joey,” premiering Wednesday nights at 8:00PM ET/PT, is a half-hour multi-cam comedy executive-produced by Bob Young & David Kendall, Paula Hart, Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence. As part of ABC Family’s new original one-hour comedy block, the network launched its half-hour sitcom, “State of Georgia,” starring Raven-Symoné, Majandra Delfino and Loretta Devine, on Wednesday nights at 8:30PM ET/PT.

“Melissa & Joey” launched in summer 2010 as ABC Family’s No. 1 comedy debut ever in Total Viewers, Viewers 12-34 and across Key 18-34 and 18-49 demos. The season 1B summer premiere on June 29 delivered the series’ No. 2 telecast of all time in Teens 12-17, ranked as Wednesday’s No. 1 telecast in Prime in Females 12-34, and was the No. 1 cable telecast in its time period in Adults 18-34, Women 18-34, Women 18-49 and Females 12-34. The 1B debut outperformed its season 1A fall finale across the board, including by 18% in Adults 18-34, by 29% in Women 18-34, by 18% in Women 18-49, by 23% in Viewers 12-34 and by 44% in Females 12-34. Moreover, “Melissa & Joey” doubled and tripled year-ago time period averages among key demos.

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 98 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today’s families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today’s relationships – told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family’s programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with “13 Nights of Halloween” and “25 Days of Christmas!” ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, Live + Same Day National Ratings, 8/17/10 and 6/29/11; Year-Ago: 8/18/09 and 6/30/10, respectively. ABC Family: Nov. ’01- to date.

What do you think? Are you glad to hear that Melissa & Joey has been renewed for season two or, do you think it should have been cancelled?

Image courtesy ABC Family.