NBC’s Letterman Free to Accept Competing Offers

After months of speculation about whether David Letterman was considering leaving NBC next year, he is now ready to entertain offers.

Previously, NBC’s contract with the late-night comedian prohibited him from talking to suitors until 1993.

But Letterman and the network reached an agreement Friday whereby he guaranteed that he will stay on as host of “Late Night With David Letterman” for three additional months, until June 30, and NBC gave him the green light to listen to competing offers.

Sources said that Creative Artists Agency, which represents Letterman, immediately contacted several companies--including ABC, CBS, Fox and Disney’s syndication division--to say that it was available to talk. NBC has the right to match any offer that Letterman and his agents come up with.

Letterman has made no secret of his unhappiness with NBC over a variety of subjects, including the way that Jay Leno was hired to succeed Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show.” CBS, ABC and several syndicators are among those interested in wooing Letterman for a late-night show, possibly to go up against “The Tonight Show” at 11:30 p.m.

In their joint announcement, NBC and Letterman described the agreement as “a good-faith effort to move their negotiating process forward.”

Letterman emphasized that “this announcement does not represent a final decision” regarding his future with NBC, and NBC business affairs chief John Agoglia said in an interview that “it is our desire to have David stay with NBC.”

If Letterman does not re-sign with NBC, the network is said to be considering Dana Carvey as a possible new late-night host.