DirecTV, NBC Turn On 'Friday Night Lights'

DBS Leader, Broadcaster Form Partnership To Present Third Season Of Gridiron Drama

By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 4/2/2008 3:29:00 PM

DirecTV, NBC and Universal Media Studios have formed a unique partnership to bring Friday Night Lights to viewers for a third season, officials said Wednesday.

Under the deal, announced at NBC’s upfront presentation in New York City, Friday Night Lights will initially air on DirecTV, starting in October, and subsequently run on NBC later in the 2008-2009 season.

NBC will begin broadcasting the third season episodes of the Peabody Award-winning drama on Fridays starting soon after NBC’s Feb.1 telecast of Super Bowl XLIII. DirecTV will have exclusive rights to the season’s 13 new episodes beginning Oct. 1 on the satellite provider’s entertainment channel, “The 101.”

The announcement was made by Ben Silverman, co-chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, Marc Graboff, co-chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, and Eric Shanks, DirecTV’s executive vice president of entertainment.

“We’re all about quality TV at NBC Universal and we’re beyond thrilled that we have structured an innovative deal that allows us to continue to produce and air this beloved series,” Silverman said in a statement. “This landmark deal is a win-win for NBC, Universal Media Studios and DirecTV, not to mention the many passionate fans who adore Friday Night Lights.”

In his statement, Shanks said, "We are immensely proud to bring a show of such tremendous quality to DirecTV's channel 101 and are honored to have a hand in allowing Friday Night Lights to live on for its extremely enthusiastic fan base. We know our subscribers will be thrilled to be the first to see the new episodes. It's a great time to be a DirecTV customer."