The longest-running TV show on the USA Network, Psych, has been renewed for a seventh episode of 16 episodes. They’ll start airing later this year.

The renewal news was broken by series stars James Roday and Dule Hill in a video posted on the Psych Facebook page and linked through the Twitter feed.

The first nine episodes of season six, which aired in the latter part of 2011, have averaged a 1.0 in the 18-49 demographic and 2.85 million viewers. Psych returns on February 29th and season six will conclude on April 11th.

Here’s the press release about the season seven renewal:

MUCH ANTICIPATED NEWS OF USA’S “PSYCH” SEASON 7 PICK UP DELIVERED TO FANS FIRST!

STARS JAMES RODAY AND DULÉ HILL ANNOUNCE PICK UP OF SERIES THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

Pineapple Puzzle Presents Fun Mystery for PSYCH-Os to Decipher on Facebook and Twitter

http://www.facebook.com/psych and http://twitter.com/psych_usa

NEW YORK – January 10, 2012 – USA Network’s favorite faux psychic and his best friend, along with Santa Barbara’s finest, are back in business as PSYCH, starring James Roday and Dulé Hill, has been renewed for a seventh season. Currently USA’s longest running series on air, PSYCH will be back with 16 all-new episodes with fun-filled storylines and A-list guest stars later this year. The announcement was made today by USA Co-Presidents Chris McCumber and Jeff Wachtel.

Actually, it was the series stars who made the announcement though as PSYCH fans first heard the good news from Roday and Hill personally through USA’s popular PSYCH Facebook page and Twitter feed. To build intrigue and momentum of the special news throughout the day, the network shared multiple pieces of a pineapple puzzle and alluded that when complete the puzzle may reveal a special message. The final fourth piece and most delicious slice of pineapple unlocked a special video message from Roday and Hill about the pickup. Roday first told fans in his character Shawn Spencer’s typical nonchalant fashion, that he’s decided to get a new brown belt and needed their help. He then goes on to casually mention, “Oh, and also, PSYCH is officially coming back for a seventh season, which is very cool, but I’m kinda working on this belt situation right now.” Hill, who plays Shawn’s best friend Gus, followed with a shout out to fans thanking them for their support for the show.

“We are always trying to find ways to reward our PSYCH brand ambassadors for their loyalty and passion and social media plays a critical role in how we connect with the people who matter most — the fans,” said McCumber and Wachtel. “It was exciting to deliver this historical news to them first and before traditional media.”

In 2011, PSYCH delivered more P18-49 (2.31 million) and P18-34 (1.22 million) Live+7 viewers than ever before in its five year run. The show returns to complete its sixth season on Leap Day, Wednesday, February 29 at 10/9c.

With 2.1 million Facebook fans, this cult favorite stars Roday as a police consultant who solves crimes with powers of observation so acute the precinct detectives think he’s psychic. With help from his best friend and reluctant sidekick (Hill), he continues to solve the mysterious and often bizarre crimes of the Santa Barbara Police Department. PSYCH also stars Corbin Bernsen, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson and Kirsten Nelson.

PSYCH is executive produced by Steve Franks, Kelly Kulchak and Chris Henze, from Universal Cable Productions in association with Tagline Pictures. Mel Damski serves as executive producer/director. Bill Callahan is executive producer. Saladin K. Patterson and Andy Berman are co-executive producers/writers.

To view the announcement by James Roday and Dule Hill: http://www.facebook.com/psych or http://twitter.com/psych_usa

Universal Cable Productions creates quality content across multiple media platforms for USA, Syfy and other networks. A leader in innovative and critically acclaimed programming, UCP is the studio behind USA’s “Suits,” “Royal Pains,” “Psych,” “In Plain Sight,” “Covert Affairs,” and “Fairly Legal,” along with Syfy’s “Alphas,” “Eureka,” and “Warehouse 13.” The studio is also producing “I Just Want My Pants Back” for MTV. UCP is a division of NBCUniversal.

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. A division of NBCUniversal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

What do you think? Are you glad to hear that Psych will be back for another season? How long do you think it should realistically continue?

Image courtesy USA Network.