Conan O'Brien stays employed

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Turner Broadcasting’s TBS announced that it has extended the late-night series “Conan” through April 2014. The network said the renewal demonstrates its “solid commitment to the Emmy-nominated show and its host, Conan O’Brien.”


There had been whispers that TBS might give up on competing in the late night talk arena after the August cancellation of George Lopez’s show, which had followed Conan.

“We are proud to be in business with Conan O’Brien for the long run,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “Night after night, Conan and his team have put together terrific shows that draw a young and fiercely loyal audience. As if that weren’t enough, they have also built a dynamic online presence that keeps fans engaged like no other show in late night.”

Conan O’Brien added, “I am excited to continue my run with TBS because they have been fantastic partners. This means I’ll be taping episodes of Conan well into the Ron Paul presidency.”

TBS said Conan has enjoyed three consecutive months of audience growth. In January 2012, the show was up 27% in total viewers compared to October 2011, while adults 18-34 were up 18% and adults 18-49 up 21%. Already in February, Conan is showing an additional 12% growth among adults 18-34, 11% among adults 18-49 and 8% among total viewers. In 2012, Conan has averaged 1.1 million viewers, with 407,000 adults 18-34 and 702,000 adults 18-49.

Produced by Conaco LLC, the Emmy-nominated Conan airs Monday-Thursday at 11 p.m. (ET/PT) on TBS. Jeff Ross serves as executive producer.