Yesterday NBC entertainment president Angela Bromstad told The Hollywood Reporter that the network plans to order 18 to 20 episodes of the one-time hit show for next season, putting to rest rumors that popped up over the weekend about an early demise, following months of down ratings.

The speculation was spurred by a Twitter post from “Heroes” cast member Greg Grunberg Sunday in which he concluded, “Tough to say goodbye to crew not knowing if any or all of us will return next year. Hope all.”

Fans took that to mean that the show was on the verge of being canceled, following series-low ratings this season. They took to the internet freaking out over the potential bombshell, prompting Grunberg to Tweet out a clarification.

“Don't get me wrong, Heroes IS coming back next year, but some crew take other jobs, so it's tough,” he wrote.

Still, some hadn’t believed it. The show, which once regularly won its Monday 9 p.m. timeslot, slipped to fourth place the past month behind ABC’s revived “Bachelor,” CBS’s comedies and Fox’s “24.”

Ratings for the third-year show have been falling steadily for more than a year, following criticism over its creative direction in seasons two and three. It tied a series low with a 3.2 in adults 18-49 earlier this week.

Many have wondered if NBC will clamp an end date on the show, the way ABC did for “Lost,” in order to give viewers reassurance that meandering plotlines will be resolved in good time.

Bromstad said this week that she doesn’t anticipate the fourth season of “Heroes” being the show’s last, either. Though the show’s numbers have dipped, it remains NBC’s No. 1 drama.