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.
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