NBC, UNIVERSAL MEDIA STUDIOS AND DIRECTV FORM BOLD PARTNERSHIP TO RENEW ‘FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS’ FOR A THIRD SEASON

NBC Will Begin Broadcasting Season 3 of Drama on Fridays (9-10 p.m. ET) Starting Soon After the Network’s Telecast of the Super Bowl in 2009; New Episodes of Critically Acclaimed Drama Will Be Broadcast on DIRECTV Beginning in October

NBC, Universal Media Studios and DIRECTV — the nation’s leading satellite television provider — have formed a bold, multi-platform partnership to launch a third season of the critically acclaimed drama series, “Friday Night Lights,” to be broadcast initially on DIRECTV and subsequently telecast on NBC later in the 2008-09 season.

NBC would begin broadcasting the Season 3 episodes of the Peabody Award-winning drama on Fridays (9-10 p.m. ET), starting soon after NBC’s telecast of the Super Bowl in 2009. DIRECTV would have exclusive rights to the season’s 13 new episodes beginning Wednesday, October 1 on DIRECTV’s entertainment channel “The 101.”

The announcements were made by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, and Marc Graboff, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, and Eric Shanks, Executive Vice President of Entertainment for DIRECTV, at NBC’s advertiser meetings in New York today.

“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,” said Silverman. “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’.”

“This mutually beneficial agreement shows that we are very flexible in providing additional platforms that will allow quality shows such as ‘Friday Night Lights’ to keep turning out wonderful stories,” said Graboff. “This represents a new business model and DIRECTV is the perfect partner for this new venture.”

“It has been an amazing experience to work with Ben Silverman and his team of forward-thinking executives at NBC to craft this groundbreaking deal,” said Shanks. “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.”

“We are excited to be a part of something that feels legitimately groundbreaking, and new,” said executive producer Peter Berg. “All of us in the ‘Friday Night Lights’ family are thrilled that ‘FNL’ will be back for a third season and look forward to working with our new partners at DIRECTV as well as the outstanding team at NBC led by Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman. Clear Eyes. Full Hearts.”

“Everyone at the show is thrilled that NBC and DIRECTV have found a creative and innovative model to keep ‘Friday Night Lights’ on the air,” said executive producer Jason Katims. “The entire creative team is truly excited about jumping back in and working on a show that we all feel so deeply passionate about. But the biggest win here is for the fans of the show (and hopefully lots of newcomers), who will all have the opportunity to see these new episodes, first on DIRECTV and ultimately on NBC.” (source)