After three years of largely avoiding the subject in entertainment programming, suddenly two networks are reportedly at work on miniseries projects about the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

NBC on Wednesday (Oct. 27) announced its intentions to develop a miniseries chronicling the events leading up to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with writer Graham Yost ("Band of Brothers," "Boomtown"). Now comes word that ABC is working on a similar project.

Like the NBC-Yost project, ABC's take on the attacks will be based on the report of the federal 9/11 commission. The report, which has become a best-selling book, is a public document, so rights to it are not an issue.

The Hollywood trade papers say ABC has quietly been working on its project -- which is seen as a miniseries or movie -- for some time. It would reportedly be a large-scale event focusing on the events that led to the attacks in New York and Washington.

ABC isn't commenting on its plans.