US TV
ABC are attempting to woo David Letterman to their network, according to reports at the weekend. Acceptance of a deal would see Letterman shift his talkshow from CBS to ABC, shunting Nightline out of its regular weekday slot.
ABC approached Letterman in January, reports Reuters, who is said to be keen on a move because of various non-monetary issues with his current home. He is apparently "unhappy" at the poor lead-ins he receives from local CBS affiliates, which prevent him from beating NBC's Tonight Show With Jay Leno in the 11.35pm + slot.
"We are continuing negotiations with the CBS television network," said Rob Burnett, CEO of Worldwide Pants, Letterman's production company. "It would be inappropriate at this time to discuss any inquiries that we have received from other networks."
An ABC source told Reuters that the network would make an "independent assessment" of Nightline, which has run in the slot for the past 22 years, and would not axe it completely to make way for Letterman. "This as an opportunity for both Ted [Hoppel, host] and Nightline for other areas of the schedule, including prime time," the source said. "It would allow Ted and Nightline to continue being an important part of ABC."
Letterman previously switched from NBC to CBS in 1993.
ABC approached Letterman in January, reports Reuters, who is said to be keen on a move because of various non-monetary issues with his current home. He is apparently "unhappy" at the poor lead-ins he receives from local CBS affiliates, which prevent him from beating NBC's Tonight Show With Jay Leno in the 11.35pm + slot.
"We are continuing negotiations with the CBS television network," said Rob Burnett, CEO of Worldwide Pants, Letterman's production company. "It would be inappropriate at this time to discuss any inquiries that we have received from other networks."
An ABC source told Reuters that the network would make an "independent assessment" of Nightline, which has run in the slot for the past 22 years, and would not axe it completely to make way for Letterman. "This as an opportunity for both Ted [Hoppel, host] and Nightline for other areas of the schedule, including prime time," the source said. "It would allow Ted and Nightline to continue being an important part of ABC."
Letterman previously switched from NBC to CBS in 1993.
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