ABC Family Scores Friday Night Lights

BURBANK: NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has licensed the basic-cable rights to the acclaimed drama Friday Night Lights to ABC Family, which is set to launch the show in the fall.

Season four of the show is currently airing on NBC. Since season three, NBC has been working with DIRECTV on the series—the pay platform gets the first-window rights for broadcast on its The 101 channel, with the second window on NBC. Season five, the show’s last, is slated to premiere on DIRECTV this fall, with a midseason airing on NBC. ABC Family has scooped up the rights to all five seasons. The first is set to begin airing this September.

“The series is beloved by critics and viewers, and fits in perfectly with ABC Family’s blend of optimistic, heartfelt programming," said Tom Zappala, executive VP of program acquisitions and scheduling at ABC Cable Networks Group.

“Friday Night Lights is a perfect fit for ABC Family’s sensibility for the modern day family program,” added Bruce Casino, senior VP of cable and ancillary sales at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. “ABC Family will introduce this award-winning show to a whole new audience segment where the series can thrive in its new environment.”

Expanding on the hit feature film and best-selling book of the same name, the series centers on life in Dillon, Texas, where high school football brings the community together. The series is executive-produced by Peter Berg, Jason Katims, Brian Grazer, David Nevins and Sarah Aubrey.