The CW will release its official fall schedule on Thursday, but the network made a few major announcements today regarding renewals and pick-ups. To wit:

One Tree Hill, for example, will return for a ninth and final season in January. New episodes will introduce us to Brooke and Julian as parents; Brooke and Haley reopening Karen's Cafe; and the return of Dan Scott.

Nikita has been renewed for 22 episodes.

Hellcats has been canceled.

Secret Circle has been picked up. It stars Britt Robertson as a young girl who loses her mother and learns that she is a witch. Based on LJ Smith novel.

Ringer will bring Sarah Michelle Gellar back to TV, as she plays a troubled recovering alcoholic on the run from some dangerous individuals. Also stars Nestor Carbonell, Kristoffer Polaha, Tara Summers, Mike Colter and Ioan Gruffudd.

Hart of Dixie teams Rachel Bilson up with Josh Schwartz again. She portrays a New York City doctor who inherits a small medical practice in the South.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.