AMERICA'S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK: Host, John Walsh. Saturdays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co.
Michael Yarish/FOXLifetime wants more of America’s Most Wanted.
The 24-year-old crime series, which came to the cable net last year after being relegated to a series of specials on Fox, earned an additional 20 episodes on Tuesday morning.
“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 Lifetime Networks EVP of programming Rob Sharenow. “We’re proud to be the home to John [Walsh] and America’s Most Wanted.”
In the short time Most Wanted has run on Lifetime, the series cites the capture of an additional 12 criminals profiled on the series. In ratings, it’s also seen gains among adults 25-54 and women 25-54.
The news comes almost a year after Most Wanted was seemingly canceled. Fox Entertainment topper Kevin Reilly noted at the 2011 Upfronts that the show was no longer profitable for the broadcast network, but Lifetime came in four months later to give the series a second life. It premiered in its new home in December.
“This is great news for the people I fight for…and horrible news for the criminals we’re working hard to capture,” said host creator John Walsh of the latest pickup. “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.”
