After Shoutout at the Oscars, Michael B. Jordan’s 97% RT Drama Series Resurfaces on PVOD

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During his Oscar acceptance speech for ‘Sinners,’ Michael B. Jordan gave a quick nod to a show he appeared on earlier in his career, and viewers immediately picked up on it. That show is now seeing a jump in popularity on streaming and digital platforms this week.

As of March 20, 2026, the TV series Friday Night Lights is the sixth most popular show on the Apple TV Store in the United States, according to FlixPatrol. It debuted on the charts at number nine on March 18th and climbed to sixth place the next day. The show first aired on NBC in 2006, and Jordan joined the cast in its fourth season, playing the character Vince Howard.

Michael B. Jordan Paid Tribute to Friday Night Lights After His Oscar Win

Now that Friday Night Lights is available on the Apple TV store, many fans are buying it, possibly because Jordan paid a quiet tribute to the show at this year’s Oscars. Viewers quickly noticed that after his acceptance speech, the camera focused on his Friday Night Lights co-star, Jesse Plemons.

Following his acceptance speech, Jordan acknowledged Plemons before leaving the stage. He playfully patted his own chest twice, a gesture referencing a memorable scene from the show that symbolized the characters’ strong connection to their Texas hometown, Dillon.

I absolutely loved watching Jordan on Friday Night Lights – they were fantastic in Seasons 4 and 5, appearing in 26 episodes total. What really struck me about the show, though, was how it used the story of this close-knit town and its football team to explore bigger issues, like what families mean, dealing with racism, and the challenges of substance abuse. It wasn’t just about the game; it was a really insightful look at American life.

The show gained a dedicated following right away, but it didn’t become a widespread hit as the studio expected. Ratings were consistently low, so NBC partnered with DirecTV to help fund later seasons and keep the show on the air.

Even though it wasn’t a huge commercial success, Friday Night Lights is still highly praised by critics, with awards like a Peabody and a Humanitas Prize. Remarkably, after two decades, it still boasts a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and its recent popularity on the Apple TV Store shows its dedicated fans are still very active.

Friday Night Lights Fans Can Now Snag the Entire Series at an Unbeatable Price

Look, Jordan Peele’s shout-out to Friday Night Lights at the Oscars definitely got people talking, and I think it’s contributing to a recent bump in viewers. But honestly? The real reason everyone’s revisiting Dillon is the price. Apple TV has the complete series – all five seasons! – on sale this week for just $19.99. It’s a steal, and a perfect time to either revisit a classic or discover it for the first time.

Though Friday Night Lights wasn’t a massive ratings success when it first aired, the show continues to resonate with audiences years later. With actors like Jordan still celebrating the series, its impact only grows, and it’s clear why so many viewers cherish it – thanks to a talented cast including Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton (known from The West Wing and 24).

Friday Night Lights is now available on the Apple TV Store.

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2026-03-20 16:06