The NBC affiliates board has launched an exhaustive study of viewers regarding Jay Leno's new show at 10 p.m. A committee that includes Scripps TV senior vice president Brian Lawlor and Post-Newsweek Stations CEO Alan Frank ordered the research and is hoping to use it for unprecedented input into Leno's fall program.

Affiliates were split on the idea of Leno taking over the 10 p.m. slot, fearing it will never be a ratings smash and won't be a good lead-in to the local news. The study asks viewers about their favorite elements of "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and if watching local news plays a part in their decision to tune in to "The Tonight Show".

Of course, how much Leno and NBC will listen is up in the air -- the network is mum so far. The survey will conclude in the coming weeks. In the past, the affiliates frequently clashed with the network, primarily about NBC's inability to jump-start its prime-time offerings.

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