DIRECTV RESTORES “DAMAGES”

Satellite operator DirecTV is showing that it can be an important content provider in its own right. After already saving the critically praised but low rated Friday Night Lights from extinction, it announced Monday that it is picking up Damages, the made-for-cable drama starring Glenn Close and Rose Byrne that was canceled by FX because of low ratings. Unlike the deal with NBC, which has the right to air new episodes of Friday Night Lights after they have previously aired on DirecTV, the Damages deal gives DirecTV exclusive rights to carry the program. FX is out of the picture. In a statement, Patty Ishimoto of DirecTV said, “It’s a win for our customers because only they will be able to see these new episodes and another great step forward for DirecTV as we continue to build our growing portfolio of exclusive, award winning programming.”