Michael Ausiello reports that when production ends on Friday Night Lights' fifth season this June, it will be lights out for the series.
Last season NBC/DirecTV gave the show a 26 episode renewal broken up into two seasons. The fourth season is currently airing on DirecTV and will begin airing on NBC in a few months.
Though NBC isn't confirming anything, Ausiello cites "multiple sources" confirming that the show will end production for good when season five wraps up.
That sucks, thought it was a well done series, enjoy watching it when on. I guess all the time-slot changes and that NBC only airs after the season is finished is what hurt the series. then again not like it was a monster in its time-slots either.
This should have been dead a long time ago. It was only saved by DirecTV. I didn’t even know that FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS was still on.
I’m not a big sports fan so I’ve never seen the show, but five seasons is a good run. Kudos to them for making it that far.
Now, let’s bring back Early Edition.
The only shock is that Friday Night Lights will have five seasons. Critically acclaimed and publicly ignored. FNL can thank DirecTV for the second half of its life.
It had a good run and the show’s survival for five seasons is a dream for every fan of ratings-challenged shows. I think it’s good they will be able to wrap the series well.
@Craig I was going to say…everytime I see Kyle Chandler, all I can think of is Early Edition. Without fail.
Haven’t we known this for a while now?
It has been widely assumed that the extraordinary two season renewal of Friday Night Lights last spring was to take this wonderful show to a logical conclusion, and a healthy total of 76 wonderful hours of television. I never want FNL to end, but I am so thankful to DirectTV and NBC for working together to give us this unforgettable show.
This is good news for the actors as production will wrap in June and picked up shows will start producing in July. Some of the great people on this show will be available for some of the new pilots perhaps?
I’m amazed that we got 5 seasons out of FNL. I have Directv and have really enjoyed this season. The show has done an incredible job of mixing the new people with the older ones. I find it amazing that it still is such a great show without many of the actors that made it great for the first three seasons. Just shows how great the writting is . I’m perfectly fine with it ending next season. I’m thanksfull for what i’ve gotten.
So they are reportedly starting production on season 5 in March and wrapping in June? I knew Katims was a good showrunner, but 4 months to produce 13 episodes seems like a really short time.
They didn’t start production on season 4 until early September and it premiered at the end of October.
I loved the show to death and I’m fortunate to be a Directv subscriber and really enjoyed the last 2 seasons. I’m glad that it will be going out on it’s own terms.
Agree with what most people are saying, yes it was a given after the two season renewal, and glad I got a chance to see this show as I feel it has gotten better each season, and found a way to bring in new characters without killing the show. but compared to most television series on air now, more series deserve to get canceled over this one.
I am the least interested in sports of anyone I know, and I love FNL. It really is the best show on TV, and one of the best shows ever made. I will be sad to see it go, but at least they have quite some time to wrap up the stories.
I like the show. I think they have handled all the coming and going of actors really well…
I wouldn’t bet on that Robert.
Don’t forget who is purchasing NBC. Ted (Comcast/E!) happens to absolutely love that show. In fact, I think its his favorite show on television.
I could certainly see Ted keeping that show alive.
Also, I forgot to mention that it was Ted who called NBC and pitched a network sharing deal when it was going to be cancelled.
Now with Ted having a substantial stake in the new company, I could easily see the show staying on NBC or moved to USA Network.
I didn’t know it was still on TV. Never watched Direct TV. I hope there is a way to go back and watch the old episodes. TV exec.s must be clueless to put some of the crap they put on and cancel shows like this one.
I also didnt know it was still on. This show was always a huge flop in the ratings but it always had a loyal and devoted following so I am happy that its fans got 5 good seasons out of it
Huge fan great show with an underated cast…Really good news for me as it’s my second fav.. Thank You DTV for getting on board and keeping it afloat…** Texas Forever **
If this is true, then I hope that the fans receive the gift of a great closure to the series. Maybe the folks who watch this show should send some nice “thank you” letters to the cast and crew (and definitely to DirecTV) for the hard work and dedication they invested in this show.
Not a surprise at all. Ausiello remains the king of reporting faux news.
I’m just glad that the show will most likely be bowing out while it’s still great. I just with other shows had done the same–I’m looking at you X-Files, 24 and Buffy. Five seasons for a show that got ratings like FNL is a great run.