'Lights,' 'L & amp;O' trio win renewal

COMBINED DISPATCHES
The Dillon Panthers will get a chance to defend their state title next season.
NBC has renewed its critically adored but low-rated drama "Friday Night Lights" for next season, the showbiz trade papers report.
Also, NBC Universal and producer Dick Wolf struck a last-minute deal Sunday to keep "Law & amp; Order" and its two spinoffs on the air, although "Law & amp; Order: Criminal Intent" episodes will first be seen on the USA cable network.
The network will make its formal 2007-08 schedule announcement today at its upfront presentation.
Although "Friday Night Lights" drew only a little over 6 million viewers per week this season, NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly made no secret of his love for the show, which stars Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, and has hinted strongly that it would return next season.
The 'L & amp;O' deal ensures an 18th season of "Law & amp; Order" on NBC. That's second only to "Gunsmoke," which aired from 1955 to 1975 and was the longest-running network drama series on TV.