TV & VIDEO - July 21, 1988

Ted Koppel is now firmly back on board at ABC News. The “Nightline” anchor has finally signed a 3-year contract with the network, retroactive to Dec. 5, for an unspecified salary. Among the new pact’s features: a bailout window in two years, should Koppel decide to roam; an allowance of up to three programs per year for an outside network (other than NBC or CBS) for Koppel’s new independent production company; and four hourlong prime-time shows for ABC. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Koppel wanted a tough contract this time because he suspected ABC News would lose two of Koppel’s key allies: president Roone Arledge and executive vice president David Burke. Burke recently jumped to CBS News as president.