Trace, Nine Creator Inks Deal with NBC

Hank Steinberg, who gave CBS Without a Trace and cocreated ABC's The Nine, has inked a seven-figure, three-year deal with NBC Universal, Variety reports. As part of the lucrative pact, which commences in June, Steinberg will focus full-time on developing new projects for the Peacock. Sources tell the trade mag that the writer-producer's parting with Warner Bros., where he started his series-TV career, was amicable, and that NBC's impressive success with such hits as Heroes and Friday Night Lights partly fueled his switch.Speaking of [cough] properly cultivated freshman series, here's that status report on The Nine I teased a few days ago: Discussing the on-hiatus drama, ABC programming chief Steve McPherson recently told MediaVillage.com, "I love the show, but honestly, we don't have a set game plan right now."