Take a gander FNL fans.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P4560018

(Edit: sorry, should have checked fredfa first. My bad. :))

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 NBC's Telecast of the Super Bowl in 2009; New Episodes of Critically Acclaimed Drama Would Be Broadcast on DIRECTV Beginning in October

NEW YORK - April 2, 2008 — 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."

Hailed as one of the top-10 shows by numerous publications such as Time magazine, Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times, the critically-acclaimed drama "Friday Night Lights" also has been honored two years in a row (2006/2007) as an American Film Institute (AFI) Television Program of the Year and received the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award in 2006. The series also received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series (2007).

Expanding on the hit feature film and best-selling book "Friday Night Lights," the award-winning series centers on life in Dillon, Texas, where high school football brings the community together — and the drama of small town life threatens to tear it apart. Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, "Grey's Anatomy") faced countless challenges during his first season as head coach of the Dillon Panthers, ultimately leading the team to a state championship.

Finally returning to Dillon (after leaving briefly for a coaching job at a college which put his marriage and the fate of the Panther's team in jeopardy), Coach Taylor juggles his responsibility to his family, the team, and the growing pressures from the community. His wife, Tami (Connie Britton, "24"), has her hands full with a career as the Dillon High School student counselor, a new baby and ultra-sensitive teenaged daughter, Julie (Aimee Teegarden, "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide"); reckless fullback Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch, The "Covenant") can never seem to get a break and without a stable adult guardian at home, finds comfort in all the wrong places. In the aftermath of Tyra Colette's (Adrianne Palicki, "South Beach") deadly encounter with an obsessed stalker, she tries to sort out her feelings for Landry (Jesse Plemons, "Greys Anatomy"), who at times makes all the right moves on and off the field; and Lyla Garrity (Minka Kelly, "The Kingdom") takes on a new job as a deejay at a Christian radio station, further confusing her relationships with a new beau and Riggins.

Star quarterback Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford, "The Last Winter") finds a new romance, but when it ends, is overwhelmed with abandonment issues. Meanwhile, Jason Street's (Scott Porter, "Music & Lyrics by&") struggle to start a new life outside of high school and football has him exploring interesting avenues. What should be the best year of high school for Brian "Smash" Williams (Gaius Charles, NBC's "Law & Order: SVU") is short-lived after he runs headlong into racial bias and when UT revokes his scholarship, Smash must rethink his future plans.

The series is executive-produced by Peter Berg (the film "Friday Night Lights," "The Rundown"), who also wrote and directed the pilot, Jason Katims ("Roswell"), Brian Grazer ("The Da Vinci Code," "Cinderella Man," "A Beautiful Mind"), David Nevins ("Arrested Development"), Sarah Aubrey ("Bad Santa," "The Kingdom") and Jeffrey Reiner (NBC's "Surface"). "Friday Night Lights" is a production of Universal Media Studios, Imagine Entertainment and Film 44.

WHAT ABOUT "JERICHO", DIRECTV? C'MON!!!!!!

Wolfie

Take a gander FNL fans.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P4560018

(Edit: sorry, should have checked fredfa first. My bad. :))

This is great news glad to see we get one more season anyways

This is great news! My wife and I love this show and it is one of the few shows left on TV that we actually carve out time to sit down and watch together. My FNL fan friends with Comcast are going to be bummed though.

This is great news! My wife and I love this show and it is one of the few shows left on TV that we actually carve out time to sit down and watch together. My FNL fan friends with Comcast are going to be bummed though.

I know I have friends with Comcrap who are pretty ticked off

is "the 101" a HD channel? Just wondering since I don't have direct TV and will have to wait until sometime after the Superbowl to watch.

is "the 101" a HD channel? Just wondering since I don't have direct TV and will have to wait until sometime after the Superbowl to watch.

Yes it can be whatever D* wants it to be. I am sure that it will be in HD.

This is great news! My wife and I love this show and it is one of the few shows left on TV that we actually carve out time to sit down and watch together. My FNL fan friends with Comcast are going to be bummed though.

It won't just be people with Comcast, it will be anyone who doesn't have DirecTV. I'm a bit bummed I won't be able to see it in October, but I am happy I will be seeing another season of the show.

3rd season begins tonight on 101HD. Can't wait. I loved Season 1 and thought Season 2 was ok.

It actually runs again at I think midnight for those of you with a dvr conflict

It actually runs again at I think midnight for those of you with a dvr conflict

Yes, 9 and 12 for east coast, and 6 and 9 for west coast. Set for 6pm for me. :)

It was nice watching this show without motion artifacts. Our NBC tends to really screw up HD.

I've been a big fan of the show, but last night's episode was weak until the end with Smash.

Is Jason Street off the show?

I've been a big fan of the show, but last night's episode was weak until the end with Smash.

Is Jason Street off the show?

Street and Smash are done. They're both supposed to get substantial sendoffs though. I agree that the episode was really weak, but so was most of last season. It had a great first year but really fell off. The whole murder stunt didn't help at all, and it hasn't recovered from that.

Can't wait for this to come back to network television....or Netflix, I guess.

For me it was just good to have FNL back on TV. A lot of stuff happened in the offseason to get where we are now.

I thought Riggins was senior last year. Was he held back?

Glad FNL is finally back on. Looking forward to season 3!

Last two episodes have been pretty lousy. I've been such a fan, but this is a new show this season. What happened to Lyla? She seemed so faithful to her Christianity last season, not doing anything that would appear inappropriate to others and now she acts like little wild child with Riggins. Just seems very inconsistent from last season.

Oh, I disagree. I think the first episode was a little slow getting going - probably because they were playing catch up and trying to let the viewers know what had happened over the last several months. But the last couple episodes were expertly acted and thoughtfully written. Please please please give Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler some love, Emmy voters. They are so remarkable in their roles.

Oh boy, I'm going to have to avoid this thread in case the show ever makes it to a non-satellite channel like UHD.

Hey, why isn't this on UHD?

NBC will be airing the entire season starting in either January or February.

Oh, I disagree. I think the first episode was a little slow getting going - probably because they were playing catch up and trying to let the viewers know what had happened over the last several months. But the last couple episodes were expertly acted and thoughtfully written. Please please please give Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler some love, Emmy voters. They are so remarkable in their roles.

As we've all said for three years, Britton and Chandler have been the glue to the show. Their performances are TOP NOTCH. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the story lines. They are week compared to the first season, and even last season. Where is Street? Is he gone? If so, that's cool, but explain. It's like watching another show, with some of the same actors. I lost the connection between the actors (except for the coach and principal) since last season. Speaking of which...how did she get the principal's job anyway? How did that come about. Unless I missed the entire half of a season, it's just not adding up.

Since FNL relies on a chronological timeline where each episode typically encompasses one week, writers have to fast forward from a December time at the end of one season to an August time at the beginning of the next. It's the nature of the show since it centers around the football players, the coach, his wife, etc.
There is no way you could expect that they explain everything that happened in the last 8 months within a 1-4,5 or 6 episode arc. Things have to progress slowly and when they need to cover something that they took liberty with (i.e. Tammy becoming principal), they will. It would be very boring if they gave us every little tidbit about everyone. Some things have to be accepted that happened in the last 8 months of these people's lives.
Take Lyla for example. Even though they aren't showing her go to church all the time, we can assume she still does. She is trying to use her found faith to turn Riggins around (Oklahoma college entrance and her buying him a suit at the clothing store are good examples). That's all I need to know to indicate to me that her life has progressed over the last 8 months.
Anyway, that is my take on matters and I'm glad the writers chose this path. It's really what they have to work with because of the way the show is structured.

Another great episode. The last two episodes have been top notch, on par with season one.

She is trying to use her found faith to turn Riggins around

Looks like she's using something other than her faith to turn him around.

Everything about this season has been tremendously stupid so far. Lyla the enthusiastic Christian having sex with no regrets, Smash getting a "tryout" at A&M in the middle of the football season, Tammy being the principal?! Maybe not as bad as the killing coverup of last year, but not too far off.

Well, of course! :)

Looks like she's using something other than her faith to turn him around.

Everything about this season has been tremendously stupid so far. Lyla the enthusiastic Christian having sex with no regrets, Smash getting a "tryout" at A&M in the middle of the football season, Tammy being the principal?! Maybe not as bad as the killing coverup of last year, but not too far off.

Yup...my points exactly

Since FNL relies on a chronological timeline where each episode typically encompasses one week, writers have to fast forward from a December time at the end of one season to an August time at the beginning of the next. It's the nature of the show since it centers around the football players, the coach, his wife, etc.
There is no way you could expect that they explain everything that happened in the last 8 months within a 1-4,5 or 6 episode arc. Things have to progress slowly and when they need to cover something that they took liberty with (i.e. Tammy becoming principal), they will. It would be very boring if they gave us every little tidbit about everyone. Some things have to be accepted that happened in the last 8 months of these people's lives.
Take Lyla for example. Even though they aren't showing her go to church all the time, we can assume she still does. She is trying to use her found faith to turn Riggins around (Oklahoma college entrance and her buying him a suit at the clothing store are good examples). That's all I need to know to indicate to me that her life has progressed over the last 8 months.
Anyway, that is my take on matters and I'm glad the writers chose this path. It's really what they have to work with because of the way the show is structured.

Sorry, I don't buy that one. Of course they can explain. It's not a documentary, it's a TV Series. Last I heard, the Dillon community was not living their lives during the off season and they just forgot to film it. They can explain.

This week's episode was the best of the season IMO. Back to the incredible acting and storylines from Season 1.

I haven't watched this week yet but been very happy so far with this season.

I haven't watched yet either, but that's good to hear, because we just watched the ep from 2 weeks ago and I am seriously considering dropping the show. More stupidity--Matt's been QB1 for 2+ years now, leading the team to a state title, but suddenly he can't even complete a simple throw in practice to receivers that aren't even covered. Then he has a great game against a team that Dillon has NEVER beaten, and everyone hates him and hates the coach.

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

I am insanely jealous of you people. Can't wait until it comes to network next spring.

I thought this weeks episode was the best in a long time. The interplay between Coach and Smash was well done. The Buddy Garrity character needs to get more annoying, always good to have a character to despise.

The opening piece is rather stylish.

I hope the show continues with acting/stories like the last two episodes as both have been on the same page as Season 1. Last night's episode was great. The interaction between Coach, Tammy and Jules is just unbelievably accurate to real life. Matt's mom is growing on me as well. She seems very sincere with her approach. Matt's grandmother is great too.

Coach to Julie- WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?
Tammy- What your father means is what prompted you to make this decision, what was going through your mind.
Coach- Like I said, what the HELL were you thinking

LOL

I haven't watched this weeks yet but like I have said before this is one of my favorite shows. I think this year is way better than last year so far. How long is the season going to run?

I hope the show continues with acting/stories like the last two episodes as both have been on the same page as Season 1. Last night's episode was great. The interaction between Coach, Tammy and Jules is just unbelievably accurate to real life. Matt's mom is growing on me as well. She seems very sincere with her approach. Matt's grandmother is great too.

Coach to Julie- WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?
Tammy- What your father means is what prompted you to make this decision, what was going through your mind.
Coach- Like I said, what the HELL were you thinking

LOL

Yes, totally agree. Loved that scene.
Love this show. Any idea what kind of ratings it is getting on the 101?

Is the season over?

Mike

Is the season over?

Mike

Four more episodes. Final is set for January 14th. (Two episodes, two week break for Christmas and New Years, and ten final two episodes.)

This season has been great, after a few disappointing episodes up front (IMO). I'm having Dish installed on Wednesday, so I'll miss the last 4 episodes of the season. Anyone know when they'll be aired on NBC in 2009?

Starts January 16th on NBC. You will have to wait 10 weeks (or more) from then till you can catch up. I plan on rewatching them on NBC.

Over the last three weeks we've watched Season 1 and 2 on Netflix and are now up to date with Season 3 on DVR. We always seem to find the good ones late. Great show.

I really hope Dirctv brings this back again it is by far my favorite show on tv.

Is the season over?

Mike

Something screwy in the guide data rendered many existing series links useless. Had to drop and re-add, then downloaded last week's episode from On Demand.

Looks like we only have 2 episodes left what a great season for FNL

After a bit of a letdown with season 2, I've really enjoyed season 3. Hate to see this go. Like others said, I'll probably re-watch 3 when it starts on NBC. I just wish they'd lose a lot of the After-School-Special stuff.

When is it coming on NBC? I missed the last few episodes when I switched to Dish.

When is it coming on NBC? I missed the last few episodes when I switched to Dish.

Starts Friday Jan 16th

thanks...i need to set the DVr

I just started watching this - I saw all of season 1 on universal hd, season 2 on dvd, and season 3 on directv. Totally awesome - I am addicted. Anyone know if the show will be renewed?

I just started watching this - I saw all of season 1 on universal hd, season 2 on dvd, and season 3 on directv. Totally awesome - I am addicted. Anyone know if the show will be renewed?

No word yet as I am sure it will depend on the ratings that NBC gets. I agree on the addiction