NBC and DirecTV jointly confirmed Monday that critically-acclaimed drama “Friday Night Lights” will be back for two more seasons.
Each season?the show’s fourth and fifth?will feature thirteen episodes, bringing the show’s total count to 76. Stars Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton will return, although based on the way last season ended?a number of the high school characters graduated?it is unclear which of the other regulars will be back.
As part of the deal (and just like this past season), DirecTV gets first broadcast rights for its 101 channel in the fall. NBC will then air the episodes in the winter.
In danger of cancellation after its second season, for which the ratings draw was poor by primetime standards, DirecTV stepped in and agreed to pay almost half of the production costs in order for first broadcast rights. The deal allowed NBC to keep the critically-acclaimed series on the air without worrying about the financial consequences of paying to produce a show with a small audience.
That deal will keep “Friday Night Lights”‘ small, but passionate fanbase happy for at least two more years.