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Friday Night Lights: How Is This Going to Work Exactly?
Kyle Chandler by Bill Records/NBC
We're all grateful that, through whatever corporate machinations that occurred between NBC and DirecTV, there will be a third season of Friday Night Lights this fall. But how exactly is that going to work?
Here's the deal straight from Sunday's FNL panel: Thirteen new episodes of FNL will air on DirecTV starting in October, on a channel called The 101. Then, the same 13 episodes will be shown on NBC beginning in February 2009. So, essentially, if you don't have DirecTV, there is the potential for some serious spoilers. "Just download it [illegally]," suggested cast member Zach Gilford, much to the chagrin of the NBC and DirecTV handlers in the house. "But then it would be in good conscience to watch it on NBC when it airs there," he added. Helpful!
DirecTV promotional materials indicate that the two versions may actually differ slightly, although executive producer Jason Katims said they haven't quite established how just yet.
Katims said that "senior year" would be a recurring theme of Season 3, which fast-forwards eight months from last season's finale. Hence the recent announcement that Jason Street (Scott Porter) and Smash Williams (Gaius Charles) — whose characters would have graduated in the intervening months — would not be returning as series regulars. Porter and Charles will, however, appear in four episodes that will explain their exits. Katims also said he will definitely leave the door open for the possibility of Street and/or Smash to reappear.
Minka Kelly announced that "Lyla's done with her 'born-again' phase, and her relationship with Riggins is now out in the open." "I didn't even hear that," said Taylor Kitsch, who plays Riggins. "I'm interested to see how it plays out." Aren't we all? — Mickey O'Connor
More TCA news and interviews:
• VIDEO: Connie Britton Teases Friday Night Strife
• VIDEO: Inside Heroes' "Dark and Creepy" New Season
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Jul 20, 2008 6:59 PM
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How could Minka know all that and Taylor not? Isn't he reading the scripts, same as she does? Regardless of what happens between those two, I can't wait until Feb. '09. I may have to take Zach's advice and watch online. 
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Jul 20, 2008 7:37 PM
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Will NBC or DirecTV stream them on their websites before February 2009?
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Jul 20, 2008 9:29 PM
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Will NBC or DirecTV stream them on their websites before February 2009?
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Jul 20, 2008 9:29 PM
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I'll be doing what Zach Gilford suggested. At least his first suggestion, not the rewatching it on NBC 4 months later. While I'm glad it is returning, the way it is returning is not going to work and I'll be shocked if this isn't the last season. The ratings on NBC for it are going to be horrible with many people choosing not to catch reruns of it. You'd think NBC would have learned when they did the same thing to Stargate Atlantis and aired it in Canada 6 months or so before. The ratings were horrible when it aired on Sci-Fi because many had already viewed it.
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Jul 20, 2008 11:37 PM
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While many people will illegally download the episodes once they air on DirectTV I have faith that true fans, particularly those with Neilsen boxes, will re-watch when it airs again on NBC because they will be fully aware of the fact that if they don't, there is a very good chance the show won't be back.
It'll be good if the 2 networks air slightly different versions - no major plot point differences, but perhaps each could have different minor subplots or extra interactions between certain characters that don't affect the plot (e.g. there are many Tim/Lyla fans, and if the NBC version included extra interactions between them, I'm sure many people will tune in!)
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Jul 20, 2008 11:51 PM
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The episodes will not be available for streaming until after the NBC airings.
The show would have been canceled had Directv not paid half the bill for the upcoming season. So, be glad that we're getting the show back.
If you don't have Directv, just wait until NBC airs it. Personally I'd rather wait than sit in a cramped corner watching it on my PC.
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Jul 21, 2008 1:32 AM
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gwilliams
Only Canadians were able to watch Stargate Atlantis ahead of time (2 years ago right?) The Sci-Fi channel is a U.S. based TV network and they are paying the bill for the show and only care about U.S. ratings. The Canadian viewership however early it was, was essentially meaningless.
As shows get older, ratings will go down, it's a fact of life.
I have Directv and will be watching FNL this October. The ratings for the DTV and NBC airings may not be great, but hell we're getting 13 episodes instead of 0.
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Jul 21, 2008 3:38 AM
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Yeah, it was 2 years ago, Season 3. Yes, only Canadians were able to watch it live on air, but that wasn't the point. The point was that many people downloaded the episodes instead of waiting 6 months to watch it on Sci-Fi. The day after they aired in Canada it was up on all the torrent sites ready to download. Then when it came time to air it in the US on Sci-Fi, many people had already viewed it and they didn't watch, causing the ratings to be way down that season. The exact same thing is going to happen to FNL.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad there is going to be another season, but if they are going to go off the ratings on the NBC airings, this will be the last season.
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Jul 21, 2008 4:16 AM
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I hope they at least wrap up their story lines. I love this show, my son and I watch it together. We get a pizza and make it a night.
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Jul 21, 2008 9:05 AM
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I can't wait to revisit my friends in Dillon TX.
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Jul 21, 2008 9:34 AM
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If you don't have Directv, just wait until NBC airs it.
I know I speak for many fans when I say, hell no! I'm not waiting until February and getting spoiled when the eps are already airing. I will certainly rewatch on NBC and buy the DVDs, but since I'm Canadian and don't have the option of getting DirectTV, I'll be downloading.
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Jul 21, 2008 9:45 AM
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Call me naive, but I'm just not seeing 1-2 million people who don't have DirectTV opting to illegally download FNL instead of waiting for it to air on NBC. I don't think its demographics are that similar to Stargate. I do wonder if there is going to be a media black out though to cut down on the spoilers. Obviously people will talk on message boards, but what about reporters?
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Jul 21, 2008 9:54 AM
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I was having trouble with my cable company a couple of months ago and decided to switch to satellite. I chose DirecTV specifically because of FNL, so I'll be watching in October! Can't wait!
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Jul 21, 2008 10:19 AM
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Same here bee! I got DirecTV when my cable bill started getting insane for just basic. I now have a DVR and more channels than basic cable with a bill that is $2 more than my basic cable was before. It is worth $2 to get to watch FNL in October!
How will the ratings work for this? With the DirecTV ratings be added to the NBC? However it is done, I can't wait!
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Jul 21, 2008 12:25 PM
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