LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Carson Daly has extended his contract with NBC to continue as host of late-night talk show "Last Call With Carson Daly" for another two years.

In addition, Daly will again host the special "NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly," which will air live from New York's Times Square at 11:35 p.m. ET on December 31.

NBC said "Last Call," which debuted in January 2002, is so far this year pulling in more viewers aged 18-34, a demographic coveted by advertisers, than other late-night competitors, including ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and CBS' "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson" despite airing later than both shows. "Last Call" airs at 1:35 a.m. Monday-Friday.

"Last Call" features guest interviews, musical performances, comedy bits, sketches and nightly monologues by Daly. The show is taped in Burbank.

The announcement comes after comments made last week by Rick Ludwin, executive vp late-night and primetime series at NBC, that Jimmy Fallon is a front-runner to replace "Late Night" host Conan O'Brien once he takes over hosting duties for "The Tonight Show's" Jay Leno in 2009. Daly had been under consideration as a candidate to replace O'Brien in the 12:35 p.m. slot. "Tonight Show" airs at 11:35 p.m.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter