Affiliates Call Leno Shift ‘A Great Move’

NBC’s affiliates are pleased with the official decision to move Jay Leno back into late night.

“This is a great move for the affiliates, the network and, most importantly, the viewers,” Michael Fiorile, chairman of the NBC Affiliate Board, told Access Hollywood in a statement on Sunday. “Speaking on behalf of the board I thank the network for keeping the lines of communication so open, and for being so responsive to the needs of the affiliates. We admire their willingness to innovate, and their willingness to change course when it didn’t work for us.”

When it debuted at 10 PM last fall, “The Jay Leno Show” took the time slot usually reserved for scripted dramas or reality programming – and left affiliates unhappy with lead-in numbers for their evening newscasts, despite the show’s positive numbers for the network.

NBC Universal Television Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin confirmed Jay’s move back to 11:35 PM at the NBC Television Critics Association panel on Sunday morning after days of rumors.

Now, Fiorile said the affiliates are looking forward to the time slot’s future.

“We were delighted to collaborate on the launch of the 10:00 PM show, and we look forward to continuing to work with Jeff Zucker and the entire network leadership team as we set a new direction, build on our long history together, and contribute to the impressive legacy of NBC,” he concluded.

What will replace “The Jay Leno Show,” and the fate of Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Fallon and Carson Daly’s late night shows, remains under discussion.

“The talks are still ongoing,” Gaspin said at the panel. “Both Jay and Conan and Jimmy were incredibly gracious and professional and they all said they understood the situation that I was in. Beyond that was a private conversation.”