Round Three: Boxing The Subject Of Next ESPN Original Series

ESPN is planning to produce a pilot for “Hit Men,” a “proposed scripted boxing series to be written and co-exec produced by John Eisendrath” in conjunction with Def Jam President & CEO Jay-Z, according to John Dempsey of DAILY VARIETY. The show will follow the fictional Hit Men Boxing Club, an “organization that helps down-at-heels athletes.” The series will mark the net’s third attempt at a scripted show, following “Playmakers” and “Tilt,” which both lasted just one season. Eisendrath also was the creator and exec producer for “Playmakers” (DAILY VARIETY, 10/19).

“LIGHTS” SHINE ON: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER’s Nellie Andreeva reports NBC has ordered six more episodes of “Friday Night Lights” despite “struggl[ing] in the Tuesday [8:00-9:00pm ET] hour.” The pickup, in addition to the three new scripts ordered last week, guarantees the show a full-season order. The most recent episode of “Lights” on October 17 drew 6.6 million viewers and a 2.7/7 Nielsen rating in the adults 18-49 demo (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 10/19).