Community returns to NBC tonight, March 15th, for the rest of it's Season 3 run. Then, it's fate is unknown. It was announced yesterday that Comedy Central has nabbed the off-net rights to Community, and will begin airing its first three seasons starting in 2013. Does this mean that Comedy Central will produce new episodes if NBC doesn't continue on with the show? That's very possible, especially with Comedy Central now committed to producing new first-run content. We'll have to wait for NBC's word, but if they don't pick up Community, it could live on, and live stong.

Here is the official word from Comedy Central.

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 Season 3, it was announced today by David Bernath, Executive Vice President, Program Strategy & Multiplatform Programming/Dean of Students for Comedy Cenral 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 David 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.