‘Friday Night Lights’ jumping to ESPN following series finale on NBC odvdo.com

A special extended series finale of NBC’s Friday Night Lights is set to air this Friday, but ESPN is ensuring that the critically-acclaimed drama will live on when the curtains close on the show’s five-season run.

The Disney-owned sports network will broadcast the first two episodes of season 1 in primetime on the same night Friday Night Lights goes off the air.

“We were attracted to it because the quality of the show is so strong and it has such a passionate and loyal following,” Connor Schell, the vice president and executive producer of ESPN Films and ESPN Classic, said in a statement issued to TheWrap.com. “It’s just incredible long-form storytelling in and around sports.”

The series will move to its permanent home of ESPN Classic on July 21, with episodes airing Thursday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET and 10:00 PM ET.

“At its core, Friday Night Lights captures the blend of drama, excitement, and heartache that embodies what it means to be a sports fan,” Schell added.

ESPN sports personality Bill Simmons will help promote the show on Grantland.com, where FNL’s cast and crew will provide an oral history of the series.

The series finale of Friday Night Lights,Breakout Kings Season 1 DVD Box Set, starring Emmy nominees Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, airs July 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC.