Comedy Central has announced that they have acquired the off-network rights to NBC’s Community and will begin airing reruns of the fan-favorite in the Fall of 2013.  For fans of the show, this is potentially great news because it all but guarantees that the series will get picked up for at least a fourth season to get it to the magical “88-episode” mark that is so coveted for syndication.  See the press release below.

Via Press Release:

NEW YORK, March 14, 2012 – Greendale Community College’s most famous study group will have a new member beginning in 2013 (and it’s not Beetlejuice) as COMEDY CENTRAL has reached a multi-year deal with Sony Picture Television to license the critically-acclaimed comedy series “Community,” it was announced today by David Bernath, Executive Vice President, Program Strategy & Multiplatform Programming/Dean of Students for COMEDY CENTRAL and [Sony Pictures Television].  The all-comedy channel will launch the series with three seasons beginning in the fall of 2013.

“Within the chaos of the current media landscape we are fortunate that we live in a timeline where ‘Community’ comes to COMEDY CENTRAL,” said Bernath.  “Our staff is celebrating with a game of paintball in the offices today.”

“Community is a perfect fit for the COMEDY CENTRAL audience,” added John Weiser, president, US distribution for Sony Pictures Television.