Conan O’Brien might be making the wise choice in not returning to a later time slot on NBC. Only seven-percent of people taking part in a new HCD Research poll say they would be more inclined to tune in to his night talk show if it aired at 12:05 a.m. Eastern — a half-hour later than he’s currently seen as host of “The Tonight Show.” Nearly 60-percent note it’s less likely that they’d tune in to see O’Brien at the later time, while 35-percent say the time Conan’s show airs would have no affect on their interest in tuning in. Viewers are more evenly divided about Jay Leno. While 30-percent note they would be more likely to watch his show if it aired at 11:35 p.m. Eastern, 38-percent admit they’re less likely to tune in. Roughly a third of respondents note the time Leno’s show airs wouldn’t affect their likelihood of watching.
When it comes to late night leaders, Leno is still on top. Fifty-percent say they would rather watch Leno, while 38-percent prefer David Letterman. However, Letterman has an edge over Conan. Forty-nine-percent would pick Letterman’s show, compared to 43-percent who would rather see O’Brien’s program.
