The Associated Press
Conan O’Brien has made a deal to return to television in a new late-night show on cable — not network — television.
The former “Tonight Show” host has agreed to start a new show on TBS, the comedy-oriented cable channel in the Turner network lineup. The show will start in November and play at 11 p.m. weeknights, teamed with that network’s other late-night show, hosted by George Lopez. That show, now at 11, will slide to midnight.
All times are Eastern, and it was unclear whether the shows will air live three hours earlier in the Pacific time zone.
The news comes as a stunner because O’Brien was known to be in talks with the Fox network, and most predictions had him moving there in September or January.
TBS was not known to be in the picture. But O’Brien’s representatives had been quietly talking with that cable network as issues continued to arise with the potential Fox deal.
O’Brien begins his live concert tour in Eugene, Ore., tonight.
In the statement, Steve Koonin, the president of Turner Entertainment Networks, emphasized the change from network to cable.
“For decades, late-night TV has been dominated by broadcast television,” Mr. Koonin said. “Now, with a young audience and a growing late-night lineup, TBS is set to be the choice of comedy fans for years to come.”
