NBC keeps Leno - on prime time

Jay Leno is staying at NBC, and he’s moving to prime time.

The network announced Tuesday that Leno will host a show five nights a week at 10 p.m., after he leaves the “Tonight” show next year to make way for Conan O’Brien.

The deal not only prevents Leno from moving to another network and competing with O’Brien, it also has the potential to be a big cost savings for NBC. A talk show is considerably cheaper to produce than the dramas that usually air at 10 p.m.

Leno also can deliver his nightly monologue and sketches to more viewers. Generally about 50 percent more people are watching TV at 10 p.m. than at 11:30.

NBC said last summer that Leno’s last “Tonight” show would be May 29, and that O’Brien would take over June 1.

‘Late Night,’ online

Jimmy Fallon, who’s taking over the 12:30 a.m. “Late Night” time slot that O’Brien is vacating, has launched a daily video blog.

The first installment revealed the identity of the former “Saturday Night Live” player’s house band: hip-hop group The Roots.

Fallon also informed viewers that his show will originate from Studio 6B at Rockefeller Center, across the hall from where O’Brien currently tapes “Late Night.”

That studio housed “The Tonight Show” with hosts Jack Paar and Johnny Carson before Carson moved the show to California in 1972.

Fallon, who debuts March 2, is posting new entries most days at 12:30 a.m. ET at LateNightwithJimmyFallon. com.

Knight leaving ‘Grey’s’?

A person with direct knowledge of the situation has confirmed that T.R. Knight has asked to be released from his contract with “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Knight, who plays Dr. George O’Malley, has asked to leave the ABC medical drama because he is unhappy with his storyline, the source said. He has three years left on his contract.

An ABC representative declined comment.