Ted Koppel's Nightline Program Sparks Interest from David Letterman

In March 2002, David Letterman found himself at a crossroads as his contract with CBS was approaching its expiration. During this pivotal time, ABC extended an enticing offer to Letterman, proposing that he take over the time slot of the long-running news program Nightline, which was hosted by Ted Koppel. Letterman expressed interest in the offer, as he felt that competing against Jay Leno's ratings at CBS was an uphill battle, largely due to the weaker lead-ins from CBS's late local news programs. However, despite the allure of the ABC offer, Letterman was hesitant to replace Koppel, a respected figure in the industry. Ultimately, Letterman chose to re-sign with CBS, citing his contentment with the network and his admiration for Koppel. This decision underscored Letterman's loyalty to CBS and his commitment to his existing audience, even in the face of competitive pressures.