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Ted Koppel and 'Nightline' Crew Turn Down HBO For Discovery Deal

Ted Koppel, who had been negotiating with HBO, calls Discovery
Ted Koppel, who had been negotiating with HBO, calls Discovery "a better fit" for the type of programs he wants to do. Billy Campbell, right, president of Discovery Networks U.S., says, "Our entire company is just thrilled." (Photos By Robert A. Reeder -- The Washington Post)
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Koppel and Bettag also made clear that they believe the broadcast networks are no longer interested in the kind of documentaries they want to pursue. Koppel said these networks are obsessed with luring younger viewers and would not be receptive, for example, to the five-part "Nightline" series he did on the Congo.

"This constant downward spiral toward the lowest common denominator is not healthy," he said.

At the height of the program's popularity, he said, ABC agreed to let him do four prime-time documentaries a year, just as the late anchor Peter Jennings periodically did such programs. "They were indulging me," Koppel said. "They were indulging Peter."

"And the days of indulging are just about over," Bettag added.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider, saying the division is "very happy" for Koppel and the other former colleagues, added, "It is our intention to continue to be a leader in long-form documentaries, as we have been for years."

Koppel said he had not yet decided on potential topics, having just signed the contract Tuesday, but would definitely pursue stories in foreign countries. Were the unit up and running now, he said, he might try to crash a special on mine safety in the wake of the accident that killed a dozen miners in West Virginia.

He will likely be playing to considerably smaller cable audiences in the United States -- although his programs could be shown worldwide. Last season, "Nightline" averaged 3.5 million viewers. Discovery's prime-time lineup averaged nearly 1 million, although some programs, such as the extreme fishing program "Deadliest Catch," topped 2 million.

"When I sit in the studio," Koppel said, "I don't think I'm talking to X millions of people. I think that I'm talking to one person. . . . We're going to be able to love what we're doing. If we end up with a slightly smaller audience, that's okay."

Staff writer John Maynard contributed to this report.


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