Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart and HBO will team up to create “short-form digital content”, with the move ending speculation as to what Stewart’s next move might be since he left Comedy Central in August.

“Jon Stewart led a revolution that changed the face of TV comedy on the Daily Show,” HBO’s president of programming, Michael Lombardo, said in a press release.

“He graced our network nearly 20 years ago, so we’re thrilled to welcome back his immense talents in this next chapter of his career.”

Since leaving the Daily Show, Stewart pursued a handful of personal projects, including plans to open a chapter of the barnyard animal shelter Farm Sanctuary in his home state of New Jersey and lobbying Washington about the treatment of 9/11 first responders and a stint hosting WWE.

“I’m so excited to be working with Richard [Plepler], Michael and the entire HBO family,” Stewart said about the HBO chief. “Appearing on television 22 minutes a night clearly broke me. I’m pretty sure I can produce a few minutes of content every now and again.”



Stewart’s videos will be produced with the help of OTOY Inc, a company that HBO said will help develop “new technology” to help the comedian produce the videos.



OTOY Inc is a Los Angeles-based company known for high-end graphics processing. Some of its recent work includes attempts to create live-streamed virtual reality attendance for sports fans. The company recently outfitted the Los Angeles Kings’ home arena with high-end cameras meant to create a three-dimensional attendance experience.

Executives also alluded to other projects that could be in the works for Stewart, saying they would be announced “as they are confirmed”.

Stewart left the Daily Show in August, citing the strain producing a show four days a week had taken on him. His announcement came after the release of Rosewater, the film Stewart wrote and directed which focused on an Iranian journalist who was tortured and interrogated by government officials who accused him of being a spy.

Stewart hosted the Daily Show for 16 years, with former cast members and writers going on to shows such as HBO’s own Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and the actor Steve Carrell.

It’s unclear where the projects would be filmed or when they might air. The four-year pact also includes a so-called “first look” clause for future projects, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The Daily Show won 23 Emmys and two Peabody Awards while Stewart anchored. The pact also marks a return for Stewart, who filmed the comedy special Jon Stewart: Unleavened, for HBO, hosted George Carlin: 40 Years of Comedy, appeared on one episode of Mr. Show with Bob and David and had a recurring role on The Larry Sanders Show.