David Boreanaz

Capping one of the upfront season’s most prolonged back-and-forths over the licensing fee paid by the network to the studio, Fox has decided to renew Bones — for a fifth and sixth season.

Executive producer Hart Hanson announced the pick-up on Saturday, via his Twitter account. Later, Hanson confirmed that Fox had ordered not just one but two more seasons.

Bones likely will be paired on Thursday nights with So You Think You Can Dance, which this year will be launching a fall season veritably on the heels of this summer’s cycle.

Bones joins Lie to Me, Fringe, Dollhouse and 24 as Fox’s officially announced returning dramas for the 2009-10 TV season.