ABC looking to replace 'Nightline'?

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- ABC-TV executives are considering alternative programs to replace "Nightline," The Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

Citing sources familiar with the plan, the paper said The Walt Disney Co., which owns ABC, has ordered network executives to start coming up with alternatives to the late night news show, which Ted Koppel has anchored since its premiere in 1980.

The Times said ABC News shot a pilot last week for one possible "Nightline" replacement -- featuring Washington reporter Jake Tapper and Bill Weir, the co-anchor of the weekend edition of "Good Morning America." Sources told the paper one of the top stories in the pilot was about the Michael Jackson child molestation trial -- which the paper characterized as "the kind of tabloid-friendly fodder that the generally sober-minded 'Nightline' has tended to avoid."

According to the report, Disney's ESPN is said to be developing an all-sports program for the 11:35 p.m. slot now occupied by "Nightline."

Koppel's contract is scheduled to expire in December. Newsday recently reported that ABC is considering moving Koppel to its Sunday morning talk show, "This Week," and expanding "Nightline" to one hour.