Ted Koppel Leaving Discovery Network Before Contract Expires

NEW YORK — Former "Nightline" host Ted Koppel and his documentary team are taking a buyout from the Discovery Channel six months before the end of their contracts.

Both sides said it was clear there was no interest in continuing to work together. Koppel's last project, a documentary about lynching in the United States called "The Last Lynching," aired a few weeks ago.

Top management at both the network and its parent company, Discovery Communications Inc., has changed since Koppel arrived there from ABC's "Nightline" in January 2006.

The new management is more interested in projects that can be rerun for a long period of time both in the U.S. and internationally, and news programs have a shorter shelf life, said company spokesman David Leavy.

Koppel also noted that the documentary unit is expensive for Discovery, perhaps more of an issue since the company went public two months ago.

"We leave with gratitude for the professional opportunities we've been given and for the generosity with which we've been treated," Koppel said.

The veteran newsman, 68, wants to stay in the business, but not at the six-documentary-a-year pace that had been set with his Discovery contract.

Among his work at Discovery: a four-hour documentary on the changes to Chinese society, which aired before the Olympics this summer, and "Living With Cancer," a piece that chronicled the health fight of former "Nightline" colleague Leroy Sievers.

Koppel's documentary unit is breaking up, but not his professional relationship with longtime producer Tom Bettag.

"Ted and I have worked together for a long time and hope to continue to do more good news programming," Bettag said Tuesday. "We just don't know where it will be at this point."

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On the Net:

http://dsc.discovery.com/

Comments

[killmenow]

I predict that the Discovery Channel will go the same way as A&E, Bravo, the History Channel, and all the rest: reality shows about rampant consumerism or manly daring-do's. More shopping, redecorating, finding that perfect home, rich snots navigating the margins of reality, guys working tough jobs in unusual environments, finding dates, remodeling, etc. They are all the same. I can find NOTHING to watch on TV other than news.

[thebluecrayon]

I'm not sure why Koppel's docs can't be rerun. I missed a couple of the China installments - would love to see that rerun.

Why does "business" always seem to mean a decrease in quality? I'm hoping that whatever it is Koppel does next is so successful that the Discovery people seriously regret their decision. :)

[quiviran]

That's the Discovery Channel. Watch it long enough and you might discover some fresh programming.

[toocoldout]

I guess that's business.

[bioluminescence]

Most newspeople have long ago fallen through the credibility gap. FOX staffers have gone even further. Right through the "edibility gap." Few people can stomach them anymore. But Ted Koppel is old school. As a journalist having the right questions is more important that having the right answers. I think he continues to ask the right questons.

[CaliTLC]

He always reminded me of Prince Charles. He'll land on his feet, to be sure.

[113]

oh that's why the discovery channel has been bad recently, they went public...ugh.

[hippybaby1970]

the so-called discovery channel is as crappy as the so-called history channel. could someone please explain to me what the hell ice road truckers has to do with history? yeah, let's cater to the lowest common denominator. that always works.

[zigzag1]

Meet The Press would be great with Ted Koppel. Ted, Dan Rather, and Tim Russert are three of the best newsmen since Water Cronkite and David Brinkley.

[Garysaju]

Does anyone out there think that Ted Koppel would be a good fit on Meet the Press? Or would it piss off a whole lot of people waiting in the wings at MSNBC for the job?

[CaliTLC]

Hum. Certainly something to ponder.

[SeanGardner]

I was thinking he would perfect for MSNBC. He could certainly do some anchoring. But, if documentaries is what he prefers, he can come in and dramatically change the nature of the documentaries and specials MSNBC delevelops. I for one am tired of all those prison documentaries that MSNBC runs on the weekend, and, on holidays. Koppel could give MSNBC even more credibility as a news outfit.

[cyrano1]

I'd love to see Koppel back on Nightline. When he left, he told us to give the new program a chance. I did and instead of having it grow on me, it began to grate on me. The lack of depth plus hearing "It's a sign of the times" endlessly repeated, simply caused me to stop watching altogether. So Ted! Come back!!!!

[611Juniper]

I agree. Nightline is awful since Ted's been gone. Frankly, I thought he was the only logical choice for "Meet the Press."

[AJ39]

Sorry you don't like Nightline anymore. I enjoy it. I like the three reporters and the format. I think Koppel was getting stale on Nightline and reminded me a bit of Brinkley, who became cross and crotchety before he left, as is Broder now. That said, I would prefer to see Kopel as host of MTP to any of the other names floated, except Ifill. Brokaw has been really disappointing. Not his forte.

[hippybaby1970]

you may think the new nightline is great, but those of us who remember the very first episode during the hostage crisis know how far it has fallen. it is nothing more than tabloid television with a few grains of news. heaven forbid that any of the current news readers emulate brinkley or cronkite; we can't have people listening to an actual journalist!

[lilsongbird101]

I pray for you Ted... as you know I appreciate your years of dedicated "outstanding" service. I miss you on the "Nightline Show" it's not the same, nor will it ever be, without you Ted. Wherever you go, I pray God go before you and bless you with the ultimate news job. As I believer personally... you are not only one of a kind, you are also legendary in your own time.
Sincerely,
Jessica Harris
I know you remember me... )

[huffyISaHottie]

you got something you'd like to share with the rest of us jessica?.. :)

[KarateKid]

How about Meet The Press, Ted?

[ebanks84]

Ted should go freelance and let them bid for your documentaries. I know you still got it Ted. Make them want it and make them pay.

[GeorgeKaplan]

Koppel's doc on Iran was an eye opener for me. It was not the kind of a show you will ever see on network or cable. Its sad when one of the last "real" journalists cannot find a place to work.

[dana94591]

What a loss? Koppel was doing some really penetrating work at Discovery and I was frustrated that I kept missing his broadcasts. It is Discoverys loss!!! I don't spend time looking at lots of TV. Looks like I will see a lot less!! There are lots of channels, Ted. One of the will pick you up, even if it is PBS!!! Look what it did for Bill Moyers.