Talk show host and car collector Jay Leno is negotiating with CNBC for a show about cars, reports Matthew Belloni of The Hollywood Reporter.
Belloni writes, “The show will focus on Leno’s longtime love of cars and will air in primetime, not late night.
“Landing Leno is a coup for CNBC. The network, known for financial news, has been trying to broaden its viewership by airing reality shows like The Profit and Restaurant Startup in primetime. Its biggest draw is reruns of financial game show Shark Tank, which have performed very well for the network.
“Leno, 64, has been looking for the right home since he passed the Tonight Show baton to Jimmy Fallon before the Winter Olympics in February. Sources say he was courted by several outlets, including CNN, A&E, History and the Tribune stations. But Leno has been loyal to NBC (his car-themed web series Jay’s Garage is still hosted on NBC.com), and he has a relationship with CNBC president Mark Hoffman. CNBC aired a Jay’s Garage special over the Labor Day weekend called Jay’s Garage: The Ultimate Car Week.
“Sources say a premiere date for the Leno show has not been set, nor has the frequency of the show, which will be a regular series.”
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