Leno may return to prime time

Jay Leno could be back on prime-time television soon.

Cable network CNBC is expected to announce this week a deal to bring the former “Tonight Show” host’s Web series, “Jay Leno’s Garage,” to a weekday evening slot.

The network has tested the waters with a prime-time version of Leno’s auto-centric Web show.

It made a ratings success out of “Jay Leno’s Garage: The Ultimate Car Week,” a one-off special Leno filmed at the annual Monterey Car Week in and around Pebble Beach.

The deal would keep Leno on the network he called home for more than two decades. He hosted NBC’s “Tonight Show” for almost 22 years before stepping down in February and handing the reins to Jimmy Fallon.

His “Jay Leno’s Garage” Web series has appeared on NBC.com since 2009.

A CNBC spokesperson said the network had no comment.

But CNBC Chief Executive Mark Hoffman is a longtime Leno fan. He has been keen to find a way to keep him in the NBC family.

Leno was the co-executive producer of the “Ultimate Car Week” special with veteran Tod Mesirow, whose credits include “Monster Garage,” “Ultimate Car Build Off,” “Richard Hammond’s Crash Course” and “MythBusters.”