Lifetime renews 'Army Wives,' 'Drop Dead Diva'

Not exactly a surprise, but Lifetime is giving series renewals to its two major scripted series, "Army Wives" and "Drop Dead Diva." 

That keeps "Army Wives" on the air for a fifth season, while "Diva" will be back for its third.

Both shows will be back some time in 2011.

"'Army Wives' and 'Drop Dead Diva' have led Lifetime's charge in scripted programming and are key components to our success," said Nancy Dubuc, the president and GM of Lifetime Networks and History.

"Army Wives" continues even as plans to launch a spinoff series were scrapped. The show, which Lifetime touts as the most successful in its 26-year history, averaged 3.2 million viewers for season four, which ended on Aug. 22.

ABC Studios is behind "Army Wives," which comes from exec producers Mark Gordon, Deb Spera, Jeff Melvoin, Marshal Persinger and Harry Bring. Kim Delaney and Sally Pressman are among the stars.

As for "Diva," show, from Sony Pictures TV, comes from exec producers Josh Berman, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron and Alex Taub. Brooke Elliott stars.