NBC renews 'Chuck,' 'Heroes'

BURBANK, Calif., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- NBC Wednesday announced it picked up the U.S. television dramas "Chuck," "Life" and "Heroes" for the 2008-09 season.

"We are thrilled to be bringing back the high-energy dramas 'Chuck' and 'Life' for next season," Ben Silverman, president of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, said in a statement. "Additionally, we will be saving and re-launching our No. 1 drama and most successful franchise, 'Heroes,' so that it will run in all original episodes in the fourth quarter."

"These pickups are a sign of our confidence in these quality series and will allow the respective producers to get a head start on their creative arc for next season," said Marc Graboff, also a co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. "As a result, they give us a lot to build on as we point to next year's schedule."