Sky Atlantic lands exclusive UK rights to Friday Night Lights

Sky Atlantic will begin airing hit US drama Friday Night Lights from the end of February after securing all UK TV rights to the first two series from NBCUniversal International Television Distribution.

Based on the bestselling 1990 book from HM Bissinger, the show portrays life in a middle-class American town and the achievements of local football team the Panthers.

Five seasons of the sports drama have been produced since it was launched in 2006.

Kyle Chandler, who stars as the Panthers' coach, won the prize for outstanding lead actor in a drama series at the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards last year, while Friday Night Lights won the outstanding writing category at the same ceremony.

Sky Atlantic is also the exclusive UK home of content from US network HBO, along with hit shows Mad Men, Blue Bloods and The Borgias thanks to series deals with Lionsgate Television and CBS Studios International.

The pay TV channel launched on February 1st 2011 and is available free of charge to all ten million Sky TV customers.

"It's the place where the world's best talent ... come to do their most creative work," said Stuart Murphy, director of programmes for Sky1 and Sky Atlantic.