Jon Stewart's Going Back to Work ... But Not on Traditional TV

Jon Stewart's had enough of retirement after just a few months of it -- he's struck a sweet deal over at HBO, but you won't see him on TV ... not the way you used to, anyway.

Stewart signed a 4 year production deal with HBO Now and HBO Go ... the premium cable's digital and mobile platforms. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Stewart will be creating short form content, but he's also giving HBO first shot at any future movie and TV projects.

We got Jon in D.C. back in September, and he sounded thrilled to have some down time. Break's over.