Tuesday, NBC television network decided to move Jay Leno’s show to prime time, a daring measure that gave rise to many a debate amongst industry observers and advertisers.

NBC execs announced they would be clearing the 10 p.m. weeknight time slot for Leno during a news conference for which the talk-show host was also present.

Now, everybody is trying to make out what prompted the network to offer Jay Leno a sought after place in the prime time schedule, some saying that it was an attempt to keep him from leaving to ABC network.

NBC co-chiefs Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff stated that the decision had been aimed at re-affirming Jay Leno as a major player for the network’s comedy brand, as well as for saving a whole lot in costs, since a drama broadcast during that time-frame cost five times more than the talk-show.

Moreover, on Tuesday, NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker appeared on CNBC and informed that moving Leno to prime time had been part of a plan to offer viewers scripted programs from 8 p.m to 10 p.m, adding that the network would also focus on scripted programing during week-ends, as well.

Nevertheless, many are bound to be disappointed, to say the least, by virtue of NBC’s decision. First, there are the actors, who are already dissatisfied with their payment and will be losing money on account of the fact that usually, from 10 p.m. networks broadcats dramas. With NBC’s decision to drop dramas from the time slot, many could come to be out of work or be paid less.

In addition, TV studios will also suffer from the move, which will render cable television to lose even more ground to reality TV.

Leno’s new show, which is currently tentatively called „The Jay Leno Show,” is said to resemble the host’s „The Tonight Show,” but it will feature more shot in the field parts.