'Damages' moving from FX to DIRECTV

CULVER CITY, Calif., July 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. legal drama series "Damages" is moving from FX to DIRECTV, the satellite television company said Monday.

The show stars Glenn Close and Rose Byrne. They are expected to appear in new episodes of the series, which are to be produced early next year and will premiere exclusively on DIRECTV, the company said.

Unlike DIRECTV's current deal for "Friday Night Lights," whereby the show airs first on DIRECTV and then on NBC, the new episodes of "Damages" will air only on DIRECTV. Additionally, DIRECTV will have the rights to air previously produced Seasons 1 through 3.

"We're excited to partner with Sony Pictures Television as we breathe new life into this outstanding drama," Patty Ishimoto, general manager of The 101 Network and vice president of entertainment for DIRECTV, said in a statement. "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."

"FX was very proud to have developed one of the best scripted series on television, but, in order to have a future, the show needed DIRECTV and we are thrilled they stepped in," said John Landgraf, president and general manager of FX Networks, who also heads FX Productions. "Sony Pictures Television is a great production partner and we at FX Productions are excited for these next two seasons."