NBC revealed it has undergone a deal with "Tonight" host Conan O'Brien for his exit from the show, allowing Jay Leno to return to the late-night program he hosted for 17 years.

The deal is reported to be worth a $44 million.

After a long period of negotiations and controversy over NBC's decision to move Leno's show back to 11.35 p. m. and bump O'Brien back to after midnight, the network extended an official confirmation on Thursday that "a deal is signed and an official announcement will be made this morning".

However, no further details were disclosed.

The Wall Street Journal cited that the agreement with O'Brien was expected to include a payoff of about $32 million for O'Brien and about $12 million for his staff.

As per the deal, O'Brien is expected to be permitted to work at another network, as early as this fall. He will conclude with his tonight show after he took the reins from Leno.

In the late-night tradition of a star-studded goodbye, O'Brien's guests Thursday included celebrities as Robin Williams and Barry Manilow.

Also, Tom Hanks was scheduled for Friday, as was Will Ferrell - the first guest O'Brien extended his warm welcome when he started last June as "Tonight" hosts.