NBC decides it needs more 'Heroes'

NEW YORK, May 14 (UPI) -- A spinoff of NBC's popular "Heroes" will air this fall, the network announced in New York Monday.

While the focus this spring has been on the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff, NBC was quietly developing "Heroes: Origins," which will air when the smash goes into hiatus, Variety reported. The network ordered six episodes of "Heroes: Origins."

"Heroes: Origins" will focus on characters not yet seen on the parent show. In addition, NBC added an interactive element in which viewer-selected characters will join the cast of "Heroes" in the following season.

The network's new 2007-08 season so far includes five new dramas, a new comedy, a new game show and a new reality competition.