Conan O'Brien close to deal to leave NBC

LOS ANGELES — In an agreement close to completion, "The Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien would leave NBC and free Jay Leno to reclaim the late-night show he stewarded for 17 years, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

Top NBC Universal executives and representatives for O'Brien on Friday were close to settling details of his departure, said the person, who lacked authority to discuss the issue and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Universal Studios president and COO Ron Meyer was among those involved in the talks, the person said.

The focus has been on how much O'Brien, who has time left on his NBC contract, would be paid for leaving and what limits NBC may put on his future employment at another network.

The deal under discussion would provide for a settlement of more than $30 million and allow him to start a new show as early as this fall, the person said.