'FlashForward,' 'V' to Return in March: More Bad News for 'FlashForward'?

With one fell swoop, ABC has offered relief to 'V' fans and made 'FlashForward' enthusiasts a little worried.

The Hollywood Reporter confirms that both series have been given March return dates. 'FlashForward' will be back on Mar. 4; 'V' will return Mar. 30, with 'Lost' as its lead-in.

The news should come as little surprise to 'V' followers, as ABC already had plans to hold the show after airing the first four episodes.

But the network's announcement of 'FlashForward''s return date is a slightly different story, especially after ABC temporarily stopped production on the show last month. ABC claims that, as with 'V,' it is simply making way for the winter Olympics. Afterward, 'FlashForward' can be aired straight through without having to compete with NBC.With one fell swoop, ABC has offered relief to 'V' fans, while making 'FlashForward' enthusiasts a little worried.

The Hollywood Reporter confirms that both series have been given March return dates. 'FlashForward' will be back on Mar. 4; 'V' will return Mar. 30, with 'Lost' as its lead-in.

The news should come as little surprise to 'V' followers, as ABC already had plans to hold the show after airing the first four episodes.

But the network's announcement of 'FlashForward''s return date is a slightly different story, especially after ABC temporarily stopped production on the show last month. ABC claims that, as with 'V,' it is simply making way for the winter Olympics. Afterward, 'FlashForward' can be aired straight through without having to compete with NBC.

In the meantime, this throws a bit of a wrench into the creators' plans to air the April 29, 2010 episode, that critical date that everyone on the show flashes forward to, on the same date; however, sources say that moves are now in the works to ensure it airs on April 29.

Loosely based on the Canadian science fiction novel of the same name, 'FlashForward' centers around an unexplained event that makes everyone lose consciousness for 137 seconds. During the blackout, people are presented with visions of what their life will be like in six months. A team of Los Angeles FBI agents, including Joseph Fiennes ('Shakespeare in Love') and Courtney B. Vance ('Law & Order: Criminal Intent'), are on the case, trying to determine what happened and how to prevent it happening again.

Last month, the show received a People's Choice Award nomination for Favorite New Drama Series.

While 'FlashForward' devotees wait out the Olympics, ABC will fill its time slot with newbies 'The Deep End' and 'Happy Town.'