The experiment has failed.
NBC’s bold move to offer audiences Jay Leno five nights a week in primetime has been a ratings dud, leading to affiliates revolt. According to reports, affiliates were seeing substantial drops in local news ratings due to the soft ratings for Leno’s program.
Over the weekend, rumors flew across the Internet that the Peacock was considering moving Leno back to late night and opening up the 10 p.m. EST timeslot again for more traditional network programming. Leno joked about the situation during his opening monologue on last Thursday’s show and was giving indications that should his show be canceled he was open to a new zip code–possibly on Fox.
Now it appears that NBC has found a solution. Leno will move back to 11:35 EST with a half-hour version of his show, followed by Conan O’Brien at 12:05 EST. The deal is contingent on O’Brien agreeing to the move, which as of this report hasn’t happened yet.
Leno’s show would end when NBC began airing the Olympics and the late-night half hour would start around the first of March.
The question now becomes what and how will NBC fill the five hours a week that are suddenly open. NBC has several series on the horizon that could fill the void as well as deals to air “Friday Night Lights” and USA’s “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.” It was speculated that “Lights” which NBC shares in co-production deal with DirectTV (who gets first-run rights) would air this summer. However, NBC can air the show as early as March, should it choose to do so.
The move should make for an interesting pilot season for the network. Last year, it was competitive to get shows on the air or renewed due to the sudden drop in real estate. Now with five hours added back, some struggling shows could get a second wind if the Peacock determines they need them. Two immediate beneficiaries could be “Heroes” and “Chuck.”
It may also lead NBC to reconsider the status of “Day One.” The show was once a full season of 13 episodes but then the order count was cut back. If the show debuts and shows promise ratings-wise, it could get its full season back and another season as well.
Unfortunately, what it doesn’t mean is they’ll bring back “Journeyman.”
I'm not surprised. I remember when this was first announced, even people who were FANS of Leno thought it was a bad idea.
Don't get me started up again! Leno said he was gonna retire like 7 years ago and they told Conan back then that he had the tonight show. Leno had all that time to change his mind then he either lost too much money on the bad economy or just couldn't give up the spot light. Either way, he has no class and will never be as good as Conan. Leno is like Kanye West but not as funny.
I'm glad that slot will open up maybe for a good drama but then again if NBC screws Conan like this I won't want to support anything they create.
Fans of David Tennent should be happy, as this means that NBC will probably air Tennent's new pilot, "Rex is Not My Lawyer." I'm really looking forward to this one, and hope that the network gives it a chance!
Was there anyone who didn't see this coming?
I am shocked. Shocked, I tell you! (Not that I expect you to believe me because, hey, it's sarcasm.) Really the only surprise is that it's taken this long. I understand that Leno needs to feed his expensive classic car habit, but it's time to let the limelight go, man. Conan waited long enough for him to pass the torch. There's no taking it back now just because Jay's less funny when people are less tired.
Let the ratings decide on Conan over Leno. Carson did it for 25 years and had a great show most of the time. Conan is no Leno and I find him less enjoyable then Leno but hey that is only my opinion. Jay should have never left but NBC was so worried that another network would take him they offered him this and a ton of money. I did not like the new show either as it was too much like the tonight show and I felt NBC was stabbing Conan in the back by doing this show. NBC saved a lot of money by doing this or at least they hoped so but the affiliates were under such revolt after losing 30% of their news audience becoasue of it NBC had no choice. This is why they are the last network- Wow from the high they were on with Friends, Frazer, Seinfleld, ER just to name a few to what they are today- Fat People, Law & Order infinity and some other loser reality shows. Someone needs to pay!!!