"How I Met Your Mother" did so well in the ratings last season, prompting show runners and the CBS network to consider a ninth season.

The actors' contracts are ending next year. So new deals would be drawn should everyone agree on airing another year of the hit sitcom.

"We're in early conversations and we're pretty optimistic," said CBS president Nina Tassler recently.

Speaking at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour in Beverly Hills, Ms Tassler, however, clarified that deliberations are ongoing.

"(W)e're not there yet," she noted.

Series co-creator Craig Thomas also expressed optimism for a ninth season.

"It's a really interesting situation because there's a negotiation going on that could extend the show, for sure. But right now, the thing that we know to be true is we have this year and no deal for next year. So we have to proceed as though this could be the last year of HIMYM. Hopefully we will know soon. Basically, we couldn't possibly know soon enough," he tells TVLine.

HIMYM Soundtrack available in the fall

Thomas also announced the September 24 release of HIMYM soundtrack.

"All the original music [on the show] will come out the day of our season premiere [on Sept. 24 on iTunes]. It's like 20 tracks. It's really cool," he said.

Teasing on Season 4, Thomas said, "It's a bit of a relationship bloodbath in the first six episodes, and I hope in very entertaining way."

A "bloodbath" will be necessary for the spoiler in the Season 7 finale to materialize. Whatever happens in the first few episodes, fans already know that Barney and Robin will get married, and Viktoria is not the mother of Ted's children. Season 8 is all about what happens before things fall into place for Barney, Robin and Ted. It will also see the new life of Marshall and Lily as parents of Marvin Waitforit Eriksen.

Modern Family Season 4: Filming to begin, pay sorted out

Meanwhile, another hit sitcom, "Modern Family," has just finished negotiations with its cast. Six of the comedy's stars have sued ABC last week over what they claimed to be "illegal" contracts.

Sofia Vergara, Ed O'Neill, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson have questioned the legality of their deals and reportedly sought a pay hike.

Show producer Fox has confirmed everything has been sorted out, and filming for Season 4 would begin on Monday.

"Modern Family" creator Steve Levitan said he is "happy" about the resolution.

Gloria Pritchett, Vergara's character in the show, is expected to get even crazier and more passion-fueled next season, thanks to pregnancy hormones.