Michael Riley, president ABC Family, announced today that the network has picked up a third season of its hit original series “Pretty Little Liars.” The all new season will consist of 24 one-hour episodes that will start to air mid 2012. “Pretty Little Liars” is set to return on ABC Family with the rest of season two on Monday, January 2nd at 8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT.

Since “Pretty Little Liars” premiered on ABC Family in June 2010, the show has been a ratings success and is currently ABC Family’s top rated original series among P12-34 and F12-34. “Pretty Little Liars” was the #1 scripted original series on cable this summer among P12-34 and F12-34, and led its Tuesday 8-9 PM hour, ranking #1 across key persons and female targets versus all basic cable nets (18-34, 18-49 and 12-34).

In the January premiere of “Pretty Little Liars” entitled “Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares,” airing Monday, January 2nd (8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT), it picks up a month later in the town of Rosewood after the four Liars were caught by police and a lot has changed in Rosewood and with the girls. No longer the mighty four best friends, the Liars are at each others’ throats and Emily has been iced out completely. But what could have divided them so severely? Has “A” finally won the game of divide and conquer? With Emily now truly on her own, is she ripe for “A’s” picking?

“Pretty Little Liars” is produced by Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television and is executive produced by I. Marlene King, Oliver Goldstick and Leslie Morgenstein. The series stars Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, Holly Marie Combs, Lucy Hale, Ian Harding, Laura Leighton, Chad Lowe, Shay Mitchell and Sasha Pieterse.

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 97 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today’s families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today’s relationships – told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family’s programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with “13 Nights of Halloween” and “25 Days of Christmas.” ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.