LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- It looks like it could be an endless summer for the WB as industry insiders have confirmed the network has renewed its freshman drama "Summerland" for a second season of 13 episodes.

David Janollari, the network's incoming entertainment president, will formally announce the pick-up as part of the Frog's session at the TCA's summer press tour tomorrow. An official press release is also expected shortly.

The second season of "Summerland" will appear sometime during the 2004-05 season, more than likely either as part of the network's midseason lineup or once again during the summer months.

"Summerland's" renewal doesn't come as much of surprise as the series has been this summer's top-rated original drama among teens, consistently winning the time slot in said demographic (2.7 rating/9 share on average) and finishing a close second in women 12-34 (3.0/9).

Remi Aubuchon, Stephen Tolkin, Aaron Spelling and E. Duke Vincent are the executive producers of the series, which comes from Spelling Television, a Paramount/Viacom company.

Update: The WB issued a press release on Wendesday confirming the news.

"SUMMERLAND," THE ONLY SCRIPTED HIT OF THE SUMMER ON ANY NETWORK, WILL HEAT UP THE WB'S MID-SEASON LINE-UP WITH A 13-EPISODE NEW SEASON (2004-05) ORDER

The summer's only new hit scripted series, SUMMERLAND, has been picked up for the 2004-05 season with a 13-episode mid-season order, it was announced today at the Television Critics Association's Summer Press Tour by David Janollari, President, Entertainment, The WB.

Record-breaking SUMMERLAND, starring Lori Loughlin, has ranked ahead of all other new network summer dramas in women 12-34 (3.0/9) and is the summer's top-ranked drama in teens (2.7/9) and female teens (4.5/15). SUMMERLAND also ranks #1 in its time period in teens (2.7/9) and female teens (2.7/9), #2 in women 12-34 (3.0/9) and #3 in persons 12-34 (1.9/6) and women 18-34 (2.5/7), even as its Tuesday, 9:00-10:00 p.m. time period is filled with original series competition.

"SUMMERLAND's performance is what earned its pick-up and it will be a very important scheduling piece for us at mid-season," Mr. Janollari said. "You can't help but root for and fall in love with Lori Loughlin and this very strong ensemble cast, and that is what the audience has done. For us, it's the right show at the right time and to give my first pick-up order to Aaron Spelling, who has meant so much to the television business and to The WB specifically, is a thrill in itself."

SUMMERLAND is the story of Ava Gregory (Loughlin), who plays a woman in her 30s who has an idyllic life. She lives at the beach with a close-knit circle of friends and is a rising star in the fashion industry. That all changes the day that Ava's sister and brother-in-law are killed in an accident, leaving her to raise their three children.

Produced by Spelling Television, Inc. a Paramount/Viacom company, SUMMERLAND is from executive producers Remi Aubuchon ("24," "Lyon's Den") and Stephen Tolkin ("All Souls," "Kate Brasher") along with Aaron Spelling and E. Duke Vincent.