LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - It's been a busy few days for Comedy Central. Viacom buying out AOL Time Warner's half of the network has commanded all of the headlines, but from an on-air vantage point, an even bigger decision at the cable network has been kept fairly quiet. According to the New York Daily News, Jon Stewart has extended his contract to host "The Daily Show" through 2004.

Political addicts and fan of "The Daily Show's " Indecision 2000" coverage will be happy to note that the new contract will carry Steward through the next presidential election.

Stewart took over for Craig Kilborn as " Daily Show" anchor in January 1999 and has helped raise the show's ratings, hone its satirical edge and just make it funnier. During the war with Iraq, the program was able to mix humor and political insight in a fairly non-partisan way that made it a refreshing alternative to many shows with more mainstream legitimacy.

Stewart's contract was set to expire at the end of this year, but even while manning the " Daily Show" desk, he's had time to appear in fine films like " Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and " Death to Smoochy."

" His platform here is the right one," says Comedy Central President Larry Divney. " He's terrific.""