• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, October 13, 2006

After apparently kicking around the idea of using the "Sunday Night Football" time slot to give struggling new drama "Friday Night Lights" a lift, NBC has settled on its most successful new show, "Heroes," to pinch hit on Oct. 22.

The network will re-air episodes two through four in prime time that night when football goes dark--per an NFL mandate--to avoid competing with the second game of the World Series on Fox.

While "Friday Night Lights" may have offered a taste of pigskin to some viewers accustomed to it on Sunday nights (while giving NBC a much-needed opportunity to boost sampling among that group), the network decided the higher-rated "Heroes" would make it more competitive that night. Football fans, it stands to reason, are probably more likely to tune into another high-profile sports broadcast. "Heroes," however, provides more definitive counter-programming both to baseball and ABC's lineup that includes "Desperate Housewives."

The three hours of "Heroes" also could boost interest in its episode five a day later on Monday in its usual time slot.

Word that NBC was considering "Friday Night Lights" came via a listing for Oct. 22 on one of its Web sites.

"Heroes" is the number-one new scripted show in the key 18-to-49 demo this season.

Should there be a game seven of the World Series on Oct. 29, NBC's football coverage will return.