The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon renewed for five years at NBC

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon isn't going anywhere anytime soon. NBC has handed the late-night talk show a five-year renewal at the network. The news arrives after Jimmy Fallon extended his contract back in November after his previous contract ran through the end of 2021.

Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television, and Streaming, highlighted the importance of Jimmy Fallon to the network by pointing to the fact that he has six projects that are set to debut across the company this year including That's My Jam, The Kids Tonight Show, and Clash of the Cover Bands. Like most hosts navigating late-night TV, Fallon had to put on the show during the pandemic, which proved to be difficult but it's something that Fallon and his crew persevered through. 

NBC notes that The Tonight Show has seen gains in the late-night ratings since the arrival of Joe Biden as President of the United States. The series struggled a bit to compete against CBS's The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Donald Trump's presidency but The Tonight Show has gradually been picking up viewers in the coveted 18-49 demo since January. 

Jimmy Fallon began hosting The Tonight Show in February of 2014, taking over from Jay Leno. Fallon followed in the footsteps of Conan O'Brien, Johnny Carson, Jack Paar, and Steve Allen to earn a spot in the covered late-night chair. According to "Variety", the long-term renewal was completed some time ago and Fallon's position fronting the show was never in jeopardy. The renewal came as The Tonight Show saw a shuffle in showrunners last November. Longtime staffer Jamie Granet-Bederman took over from Gavin Purcell and it was a sign that the show wanted to stick with having things run in-house instead of bringing in outside producers.

Are YOU happy that Jimmy Fallon is sticking around as host of The Tonight Show?