LENO OUT, FALLON IN? Rumored Change At NBC After Jimmy Kimmel Steals The Young Demo

In 2014, both Jay Leno and David Letterman's contracts expire with their respective late-night talk shows at NBC and CBS.

But, for once, the current discussion isn't about the rivalry between the two longtime late-night hosts.

Instead, The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that NBC is planning gently to push out 62-year-old TV vet Leno in order to make way for the network's younger, hipper host Jimmy Fallon.

Fallon has been successful in the 12:35 a.m. time slot with "Late Night" and the network feels the 38-year-old has a better chance at competing with ABC's 45-year-old Jimmy Kimmel for a younger audience. 

While Leno rules the ratings in the late night game — as he has for the past two decades — "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" garners the coveted age 18-49 demo in the 11:35 p.m. time slot.

"NBC has to think about what to do because ABC made the smart decision to move Kimmel when they did," a source close to the situation tells Business Insider. "Kimmel’s numbers in the demo have been much stronger than anyone would have initially predicted and every day he is on at 11:35 is another day that NBC will be playing catch-up when Leno leaves (whenever that actually may be)."

NBC denied The Hollywood Reporter's claims and a Leno rep said "We do not speculate on rumor," but the trade claims:

"Two high-level industry sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that NBC is moving toward a May announcement that the 2013-14 television season will be the last for Leno as host of the long-running late-night show. Sources expect the network to move Jimmy Fallon from his 'Late Night' spot into the coveted 11:35 p.m. time slot with a soft launch during the summer of 2014 before a formal fall kickoff."

E! Online confirmed the report with their own TV sources, writing: "The Peacock network is planning to announce Jay Leno's retirement from 'The Tonight Show' some time in the next year."

Reps for NBC and "The Tonight Show" didn't respond to our request for comment.

Media critics across the country have been weighing in on the possible shake-up:

• "A gimlet-eyed look at the facts suggests there’s much to be gained in trading Leno for Jimmy Fallon sooner than later— and surprisingly little to lose. Like Fallon — and unlike Leno — Kimmel has a footprint that goes well beyond his television audience, with a knack for producing videos that go viral on YouTube ... And Kimmel’s Q scores are better than either NBC host’s ... Could we be looking at the new king of late night?" — Writes Forbes' Jeff Bercovici.
• “Leno is so yesterday. He can still draw overall ratings, but you can't sell overall ratings the way you can sell 18 to 49 or even 25 to 54 while Fallon has buzz, edge, and young viewers.” — David Zurawik, media critic for The Baltimore Sun, told The Daily Beast.
• “Here we go again,” added  Zurawik. “How much worse can NBC treat this guy before he goes away? They gave Leno’s time period away, then gave it back. Last year they cut his staff and his salary. NBC’s relationship with Leno is practically one of S&M.”
• “Fallon has proven a surprisingly hip and more appealing successor than Conan O'Brien and seems better suited for direct competition with Jimmy Kimmel for young viewers." — Eric Deggans, TV columnist for the Tampa Bay Times.
• "Despite speculation that Dave might be eyeing retirement, I’m told that Letterman wants to keep doing the 'Late Show' for as long as CBS will have him. And Leno, whose idea of vacation is working the stand-up circuit, clearly wants to keep walking onto that Burbank stage until he’s carried off on a stretcher ... The overriding question: Does NBC again want to replace the guy who keeps the 'Tonight Show' on top with a hipper guy who might keep the show on top?"— Howard Kurtz of The Daily Beast.

SEE ALSO: Read the witty rejection letter David Letterman sent Jimmy Kimmel in 2002 >

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