Reports: Letterman considers switch to ABC

CBS unsuccessful in renewing 'Late Show' contract so far

NEW YORK (CNN) -- David Letterman could be close to packing up his Top 10 lists and hauling them over to ABC.

Nearly a decade after his high-profile switch to CBS from NBC, the irascible "Late Show" host is talking with ABC about starting a new late-night show on that network, according to reports Friday in the New York Times and the Washington Post.

ABC wants Letterman in the 11:35 p.m. EST hour currently occupied by "Nightline" and "Politically Incorrect," the newspapers reported.

"It would be an absolute coup for ABC to steal Letterman," said Howard Kurtz, Washington Post reporter and co-host of CNN's "Reliable Sources."

VIDEO CNN's Howard Kurtz says David Letterman is being courted by ABC to replace Ted Koppel's 'Nightline' (March 1) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     QUICKVOTE Should ABC replace Ted Koppel's 'Nightline' with David Letterman? Yes No View Results   MORE STORIES Statement from 'Nightline's' Executive Producer

ABC and CBS spokespeople contacted by CNN declined to comment on the reports.

The Associated Press reported that Rob Burnett, CEO of Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, said: "Dave's contractual obligation to the "Late Show" concludes this August. We are continuing negotiations with the CBS television network. It would be inappropriate at this time to discuss any inquiries that we have received from other networks."

A 'complete shock' to 'Nightline' staffers

The executive producer of "Nightline," the highly respected ABC News program that has aired in the 11:35 p.m. EST time slot for more than two decades, said Friday that newspaper reports about the questionable future of the 22-year-old show were a "complete shock" to the show's staff.

In a daily e-mail to subscribers, Leroy Sievers said Friday was "a difficult day for all of us at 'Nightline.' "

"Last night we learned that the New York Times was going to report that ABC is in negotiations with David Letterman to come to ABC, replacing 'Nightline' at 11:35," Sievers wrote. "This came as a complete shock to all of us."

Sievers said the report prompted anchor Ted Koppel to return from a planned long weekend, but no executive from ABC or its parent, Disney, had yet spoken to him.

He closed by saying, "We are going to let our work speak for itself."

"Nightline," which went on the air as a special during the 1979 hostage crisis in Iran, had carved a niche by going in-depth on major stories. But with the rise of all-news cable channels that have eaten away at "Nightline's" audience, and because it attracts older viewers -- which are less attractive to advertisers -- the show is not as lucrative to ABC as Letterman's program would likely be.

Two networks and counting

Letterman moved to CBS in 1993 when NBC snubbed the former "Late Night" host by tapping Jay Leno to replace Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show." Leno's program has consistently topped Letterman's "Late Show" in the ratings.

Letterman's contract with CBS expires soon, but the network was unsuccessful in renewing it during an exclusive negotiation period, the Times said. He's said to be unhappy with CBS and its local-news lead-ins -- and the young-adult component of Letterman's audience is considered attractive to ABC's marketing strategies.

Although a move to ABC isn't a done deal, negotiations are at an advanced stage, the papers reported.

"I think the chances of (ABC) succeeding are pretty decent," said Kurtz.

Kurtz said "Nightline" anchor Ted Koppel is furious over the negotiations, and suggested a change in the program's status could have serious repercussions.

"It's really is going to set off a revolt at ABC News," he said.

As for "Politically Incorrect," the talk show's future has been in doubt since shortly after the September 11 attacks, when host Bill Maher ignited a controversy by suggesting that the United States' military policy had been more cowardly than the terrorists.