The British Comedy Guide understands that the broadcaster's head of comedy Shane Allen has given the long-running sitcom the greenlight for an eighth and ninth run.
This comes in spite of falling ratings for the show's seventh series, which began on 4oD last month.
However, fans will apparently have to wait until at least spring 2012 for the new episodes due to the busy schedules of writing duo Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain.
Starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb as maladjusted flatmates Mark Corrigan and Jeremy Usborne, the acclaimed show is Channel 4's longest-running sitcom, and has won numerous awards since its inception.
