'Lost' to end after three more seasons

Lost will come to an end in three years' time, producers have announced.

The deal with US network ABC is for three further seasons, each of sixteen episodes, culminating with the series finale in 2010.

The news essentially marks a compromise between production and the network: the former having been keen to set an end date to ensure quality of story, with ABC wanting to keep the ratings powerhouse a part of its schedules for as long as possible.

With shortened seasons - a Lost season normally runs to 23 or 24 episodes - the actors involved also have time to pursue other projects alongside their Lost duties.

"In considering the powerful storytelling of Lost, we felt this was the only way to give it a proper creative conclusion," said Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment. "I always said that we would allow the series to grow and give viewers the most compelling hour possible. And, due to the unique nature of the series, we knew it would require an end date to keep the integrity and strength of the show consistent throughout, and to give the audience the payoff they deserve."

As part of the deal, showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse have signed on for the remainder of Lost's run. "We always envisioned Lost as a show with a beginning, middle and end," the pair said in a statement. "By officially announcing exactly when that ending will be, the audience will now have the security of knowing that the story will play out as we've intended."