TV show "Lost" will come to an end in three years' time after a run of six seasons, according to an announcement of network ABC quoted by media reports Wednesday.

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

The announcement has been expected since January, when the creators of the show told a group of television writers that they wanted the network to set a definitive end date for the series.

Such a date was necessary, they said, so that they could begin planning how to unravel the multiple mysteries that beset the fictional survivors of Oceanic Air Flight 815, which crashed on an uncharted island en route from Sydney, Australia, to Los Angeles in September 2004.

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 the show'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."

The show has continued to be one of the highest-rated among 18-to-49-year old adults, the demographic group for which advertisers pay a premium. According to Nielsen Media Research, ¡°Lost¡± ranked as the ninth most popular show among those adults in prime time in the last week of April, the most recent week for which statistics are available.

Editor: Donald