Reports indicate that the deal is worth over $20 million a year. A report in The New York Times inidcates that Leno took over as host in 1992.

The deal still falls short of what CBS pays David Letterman. who is Leno's arch rival. Letterman gets around $31 million a year. Leno was said to be making about $16 million a year under his previous deal.

Another report in AP stated that while The Tonight Show dominates the ratings Letterman's The Late Show has won more Emmy awards and received more critical acclaim.