More Friday Night Lights Greenlit

UNIVERSAL CITY/EL SEGUNDO: NBC Universal and DIRECTV have extended their partnership for the acclaimed drama Friday Night Lights, with an additional two seasons due to premiere on the satellite platform, with a subsequent airing on NBC.

There will be a total of 26 episodes in the fourth (2009-10) and fifth (2010-11) seasons of the show. DIRECTV will have the exclusive rights to the episodes on its The 101 Network. This builds on the 13 episodes originally greenlit in the debut pairing of the two companies last year. Announcing the renewal, Ben Silverman, the co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, noted: "It is one of the best shows in the history of television and we’ve worked hard to keep it alive for future seasons. NBC Universal has been at the forefront of creative deals such as these, which ultimately benefit audiences, critics and advertisers alike."

Marc Graboff, the co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, added: "Once again, this is a triumph for all parties and a vindication of this show’s quality and enduring appeal. We have enjoyed our succesful business partnership with DIRECTV over the last year in keeping the Lights on, and this deal symbolizes our strong desire to facilitate new creative ventures that will keep NBC Universal moving forward."

Friday Night Lights is a production of Universal Media Studios, Imagine Entertainment and Film 44.