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Earlier tack for 'Black'

NBC pulls 'Studio' for 'Donnellys'

By JOSEF ADALIAN

NBC's 'The Black Donnellys' will now preem on Feb. 26, bumping 'Studio 60' off the sked a week early.

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NBC is pushing up the premiere date for "The Black Donnellys" -- and pulling "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" off the air a week earlier than planned.

"Donnellys," which was set to bow March 5, will now sign on Monday, Feb. 26, at 10 p.m. Move gives "Donnellys" an extra week on the air with a firstrun "Heroes" lead-in.

"Heroes" is set to go into repeats after its March 5 episode.

Premiere date change was announced Tuesday afternoon, hours after Nielsen confirmed that "Studio 60" -- the current occupant of the post-"Heroes" timeslot -- dropped to its lowest ratings yet. NBC hasn't yet said when it plans to bring back "Studio 60" for its final run of season one segs.

Decision to yank "Studio 60" a week early will no doubt raise a new round of questions about the show's long-term fate. Insiders said the net still hasn't decided what to do with the show and that the sked change is mostly about giving "Donnellys" the best possible launch.