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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The doctors of ``Grey's Anatomy'' will be returning for a 19th season, ABC announced today.
`Grey's Anatomy' is a true phenomenon, beloved by audiences around the world,'' Dana Walden, chairman of Entertainment for Walt Disney Television, said Monday of the ratings-grabbing medical drama created by Shonda Rhimes and starring Ellen Pompeo.
``We have enormous faith in Shonda, (executive producer and showrunner) Krista Vernoff, Ellen Pompeo and the entire creative team to unlock new, untold stories that will continue to focus on modern medicine, tackle the issues that shape the world around us and resonate deeply with loyal fans for years to come.''
``Grey's Anatomy'' premiered on March 27, 2005, and has been a consistent ratings magnet -- becoming TV's longest-running prime-time medical drama series as well as the network's No. 1 show this season.
It has ranked among the Top 10 entertainment broadcast series in each of its 18 seasons among adults 18-49, and currently is tied as the No. 1 broadcast drama among adults 18-49.
The series has averaged 12.8 million total viewers this season after 35 days of delayed viewing across platforms. It streams on Hulu, Disney+ and Star+.
Season 18 returns to ABC on Feb. 24 at 9 p.m. in a crossover event with ``Station 19,'' featuring Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey.
``I couldn't be more excited that we get to keep telling the stories of Meredith, Bailey, Richard and all of the other doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial for another season,'' Rhimes said in a statement.
``This is a true testament to Krista Vernoff, the cast, the crew and all the writers who keep the audience on the edge of their seat week after week. And it would not be possible without the generations of incredible fans who have supported `Grey's Anatomy' for so many years.''