Friday Night Lights to Air Commercial Free

October 1 will bring commercial free HD programming to DirecTV subscribers as third season of Friday Night Lights will make its 101 Network debut.

As part of the unusual arrangement that's kept the show from being canceled, subscribers of DirecTV will get to watch episodes commercial-free and in high-definition before the show’s planned NBC run in early 2009.

This season Friday Night Lights will follow Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) as he copes with an uncertain team after the graduation of star running back Smash Williams (Gaius Charles, who will have only a recurring role).

Tami (Connie Britton) will adjust to her role as the new Dillon High School principal and the ways in which her new duties affect the Taylor family.

Tyra (Adrianne Palicki), Lyla (Minka Kelly) and Tim (Taylor Kitsch) enter senior years and must grasp the pressures of high school romance - and of coming of age. And don't even get us started on Matt and Julie!

Other shows to air on 101 Network include Live From Dillon, Rock & A Hard Place, and Supreme Court of Comedy. DirecTV will also feature a sneak preview of Crash, the first original drama from Starz Entertainment.

The new 13-episode drama will premiere October 1 at 10 p.m. EST, following the Friday Night Lights Season Three debut.