ABC’s Nightline Will “Keep Its Name And Evolve Over The Next Six Months”

By Brian 

Changes are in store for ABC’s Nightline, but they won’t happen all of a sudden, Broadcasting & Cable’s J. Max Robins reports. “The idea is to let Nightline keep its name and evolve over the next six months into what it will look like in the post-Koppel era.” (As opposed to X2.) A multi-topic structure may become more frequent, Robins adds. “Nightline won’t abandon its news and public-affairs roots, but look for the show to retain the live format that helped make its reputation, as well as sprinkle in more human-interest and pop-culture fare.” More…

> Also: “We can’t just move into a post-Koppel era by simply putting a new person in the anchor chair,” says outgoing EP Tom Bettag. “I was at CBS when we did that, going from Cronkite to Rather, and it can just be disastrous if you don’t shape the show to fit who the talent is going to be.”

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