"'Nightline" as we know it is about to fade to black."

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: A Hazy New Day Awaits 'Nightline'
Producers Weigh New Format, Personnel for Post-Koppel Era
By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 26, 2005; Page C01


"Nightline" as we know it is about to fade to black.

Gone will be the single-topic examination that has been the ABC program's signature for 25 years. Gone will be the single-anchor format once Ted Koppel steps down Nov. 22. And some of the correspondents and producers who built the program into a journalistic powerhouse will likely be gone, too.

"I'm absolutely committed to 'Nightline' remaining a serious, substantive show," says British journalist James Goldston, the new executive producer. " 'Nightline' has a unique place in American television journalism and it's important that should continue. Of course, we wish it to be an entertaining show, but the journalism comes first always."

The likely new anchors are White House correspondent Terry Moran and "PrimeTime" anchor Cynthia McFadden, who have had serious discussions with Goldston and would be based in Washington and New York, respectively. Another possible anchor is Martin Bashir, who made documentaries about Michael Jackson and Princess Diana, although he may wind up as a contributor.

Goldston made a presentation last week to Anne Sweeney, president of Disney-ABC television, and ABC News President David Westin, among others, and got a tentative green light to pursue his vision of the show, say people familiar with the matter who declined to be named because no final decisions have been made....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/25/AR2005092501443.html