PROVIDENCE – The general manager of WJAR-TV (NBC 10) says she continues to be optimistic about the outlook for Jay Leno’s new nightly prime-time talk show, although she is somewhat nervous about a drop in viewers during the show’s closing segment.

Rather than fill its 10 p.m. hour with expensive scripted programming, NBC has opted to air the far cheaper “Jay Leno Show” each weeknight. The stakes are high for network affiliates, who depend on the final hour of network programming to provide a strong ratings lead-in to their 11 p.m. news broadcasts.

NBC said 18.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the premiere of “Leno” on Sept. 14, which followed a major promotional campaign by the network. Those numbers fell in the days that followed, which NBC said it expected. The program drew 8.8 million viewers on Thursday and 7.7 million viewers on Friday, according to Nielsen ratings.

WJAR general manager Lisa Churchville told Broadcasting & Cable magazine the program could work well in the 10 p.m. slot. “It’s a good show to graze or join in progress – you can watch in between innings of a ballgame,” she said. “I think that bodes well for us.”

However, Churchville also acknowledged concerns about a drop in “Leno” viewership during its final 15 minutes, the crucial lead-in to WJAR’s top-rated local newscast. “We’re a little apprehensive about the last quarter, as there does seem to be some drain,” she said. “But they’re tightening the show up.”