TELEVISION - Dec. 24, 1992

The Beat Goes On: Here’s the latest on the NBC-Letterman-Leno situation. The network has backed off its public vow that Jay Leno will not lose the 11:35 p.m. “Tonight Show” time slot to David Letterman. Leno, meanwhile, says he is unhappy that NBC isn’t showing greater support for him. After the November ratings sweeps where Leno scored strongly, NBC’s late-night vice president Rick Ludwin said the network had “no thought of flipping ‘The Tonight Show’ with David Letterman.” On Wednesday, NBC’s official support of Leno changed to “no comment.” NBC has until Jan. 15 to match CBS’ $16-million offer to Letterman or lose him.