Hank Steinberg, who created "Without A Trace" for Warner Bros. TV, has signed a lucrative three-year deal with rival U.S. TV studio, NBC Universal.

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Daily Variety reported that Steinberg, who also created ABC's "The Nine" during his tenure at Warner, will begin working on new NBC series full-time beginning in June when his new deal begins.

While "The Nine" has been placed on hiatus by ABC due to low ratings and Steinberg is no longer actively involved with "Trace," NBC Universal execs admitted to being pleased with the new deal.

"We've had our eye on Hank for years," NBC U TV Studio head Angela Bromstad confessed.

"Now we're so happy to have the opportunity to sit down with him and talk about our respective goals and to have this creative marriage," she added. "We can't wait to start developing with him."

The paper said that Steinberg's split from Warner was amicable and that the success of freshmen NBC series such as "Heroes" and "Friday Night Lights" helped lure the "61" creator to the studio.