KEY POINTS:
Talk is not cheap for David Letterman, the popular US chat show host.
Letterman, 59, has signed a new contract that will see him take his late-night talk show through to 2010 for a reputed US$30 million a year.
"I'm thrilled to be continuing at CBS," said Letterman in a statement. "At my age you really don't want to have to learn a new commute."
Letterman has been battling for the ratings top spot since 1993 with Jay Leno, who is due to step down from his Tonight show in 2009.
