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NBC’s Leno Shift Marks Pivotal Change

Jun 1, 2009  •  Post A Comment

 

NBC’s plan to shift Jay Leno to a 10 p.m. talk show may represent the biggest change in television since the broadcast networks doubled the length of their newscasts to 30 minutes in 1963, the New York Times reports.

It’s not just the fate of Mr. Leno that’s hanging in the balance, but almost the whole television industry, from the producers, writers and directors as well as the TV station owners who have relied on 10 p.m. network shows to produce strong lead-ins for their local newscasts, the newspaper points out.

While some TV networks believe the move is wrong-headed, ABC at one point discussed moving "Nightline" to a 10 p.m. timeslot, the publication says.

–Aimee Picchi