Jay Leno goes primetime and stays on NBC

By April MacIntyre Dec 9, 2008, 1:38 GMT

Jay Leno greeting fans after testifying at the Michael Jackson child molestation trial in Santa Maria, California, USA. According to US newspaper reports on 08 December 2008, US television network NBC (National Broadcasting Company) is expected to announce a new deal for a weeknightly show with Leno, whose contract as host of NBC\'s \'Tonight Show\' will run out in 2009. EPA/BRENDAN MCDERMID

NBC will not lose its star late-night host.

He will  be shifted to an earlier audience and time, as the New York Times got the scoop from a Peacock insider who confirms NBC will keep Leno in a new slot to appear at 10 o’clock each weeknight in a format similar to “The Tonight Show,” hosted by Leno since 1993.

NBC had planned to hand the franchise to Massachusetts funnyman, Conan O’Brien, in May of 2010. That was five years ago.

Ratings have favored Jay Leno, who continues to be the leader in the late-night slot.

The New York Times credits NBC's chief Jeff Zucker with the save.

No details have officially been announced by NBC as of yet.

The new show is slated for fall, and Leno is expected to keep a certain similar flavor to his existing show, such as a monologue and scripted segments.

The New York Times noted that Ii 2002, David Letterman, a rival competitor at CBS, "was contemplating whether to renew his contract, Mr. Zucker offered him a show at 8 o’clock weeknights. He turned it down."

Leno's expected salary will be in excess of $30 million a year.

According to the Times, "Monday Mr. Zucker appeared at a UBS media conference in New York and suggested that in the future networks might have to cut back on the hours of prime-time programming. The program with Mr. Leno would effectively cut the number of hours NBC needed to fill each week from 22 to 17."