The TV Zone

The trades are full of this story, so just in case you haven't heard: "Friday Night Lights" will be back, and it looks like for two more season - in this case, seasons running 13 episodes each.

Without getting into particulars, this appears to be roughly the same deal as the current one - a window on DirecTV followed by the run on NBC a few months later. It's a remarkable reprieve for a fine show and not entirely expected, given the numbers; it ranks about 18th or 19th on NBC's already woeful schedule, averaging somewhere around 3.8 and 4 million viewers. That would be a great performance for a cable series but a BROADCAST one?

Which is just the point: NBC is happy to get anything, and (in the case of "FNL") happy to get something of quality. But don't forget - the costs are being split among multiple partners. This is not a big outlay for NBC.

(Pix: NBC)

I'm a very impatient guy and am sick of waiting for a response from NBC - even though I sent the email only about, oh, 15 seconds ago - so I think I just have to be out with it, confirmation or not: NBC is expected to renew "Friday Night Lights."

Yes, this is kinda old news to anyone who cruises Deadlinehollywood.com, which reported that NBC is forging an interesting kind of joint deal between the network and Directv - whereby (one assumes) DTV gets some sort of exclusive window, or whatever, after the NBC airing. Or maybe some sort of simultaneous airing.

I don't know. All these details bore me.

The simple fact is, "FNL" is back and that's important because it's probably the only show left on NBC next season that won't be hosted by Howie Mandel.

In fact, the deal - when it happens - is kinda interesting because it might be some sort of "template" for other deals that would save other worthy but low-rated shows (like "FNL..") NBC's already done this with "L&O;:CI" and if I'm not mistaken, "Monk" has done double-network deals for something like a century.

Anyway, this is good news and couldn't wait to share.

(Update! The exemplary Jamie French of NBC has responded. I quote in full: "Sorry Verne. We are not commenting. Thanks.")

Fans can’t say NBC isn’t working hard to sell “Friday Night Lights” to new fans. The network is spreading episodes of the riveting portrait of contemporary family and community life all over the place -- on-air, online, on DVD, on iTunes.

This Saturday night, NBC airs three episodes 8-11 p.m. (in high-def, too). They’re the season’s compelling final hours -- “Mud Bowl,” “Best Laid Plans,” and “State” -- when Kyle Chandler’s coach finds his family life and career turned upside down, when paraplegic ex-QB Jason moves out on his own, when secrets are revealed and relationships tested. Prime stuff.

All 22 first-season episodes are still streaming online, too. (NBC also offers two-minute recaps condensing the gist of each outing.)

That season’s DVD set was just released at a bargain list price of $30 (widely discounted to the $20 range), and includes an intimate glimpse of life behind-the-scenes at the series’ Texas production location.

Downloadable episodes are still on iTunes, too (but not, apparently, for long; NBC has announced plans to pull its content off the iTunes platform).

NBC launches the show's second season Oct. 5.