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Arts & Entertainmentjay leno

Jay Leno’s show on cars has biggest debut in CNBC history

By
Benjamin Snyder
Benjamin Snyder
Managing Editor
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By
Benjamin Snyder
Benjamin Snyder
Managing Editor
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October 9, 2015, 2:31 PM ET
Jay Leno Presents the 2003 Mercedes SL 500
Jay Leno during Jay Leno Presents the 2003 Mercedes SL 500 at Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Donato Sardella/WireImage)Photograph by Donato Sardella — WireImage/Getty Images

CNBC’s “Jay Leno’s Garage” featuring the former “Tonight Show” host debuted with the largest viewership for the business news cable channel in its history, according to Nielsen data.

It drew in 916,000 total viewers during its premiere on Wednesday.

“Garage” is Leno’s return to television after his departure from the “Tonight Show.” He hosted the program for over 20 years.

“This show will be about anything that rolls, explodes and makes noise,” said Leno in a release when his show was first announced last year. “We hope to highlight the passion and the stories behind the men and women who made the automobile the greatest invention of the 20th century.”

“Jay will add tremendous star power and exceptional content to CNBC’s primetime at the perfect time,” said CNBC President Mark Hoffman in a statement at the time. “CNBC at night has real momentum and Jay’s personality, tremendous fan base and his passion for the subject will contribute mightily to our burgeoning primetime.”

About the Author
By Benjamin SnyderManaging Editor
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Benjamin Snyder is Fortune's managing editor, leading operations for the newsroom.

Prior to rejoining Fortune, he was a managing editor at Business Insider and has worked as an editor for Bloomberg, LinkedIn and CNBC, covering leadership stories, sports business, careers and business news. He started his career as a breaking news reporter at Fortune in 2014.

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