Nightline has been a late night news fixture on ABC since its first episodes, which covered the Iran hostage crisis. It covered that continuously from 1979 to 1981, by which time it was entrenched in the late night schedule. Ted Koppel became the anchor in 1980 and maintained that role until he stepped down in 2005. The show is hosted by three anchors, Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran, and Martin Bashir. The show covers numerous news topics, from interviews with celebrities and sports figures, to hard investigations into current events and breaking news.

1. December 8, 1980: Reported live on the murder of John Lennon
2. April 15, 1987: Koppel interview of LA Dodgers exec Al Campanis where Campanis made racially insensitive remarks that eventually led to his firing
3. April 30, 2004: Koppel read all the names of U.S. Armed Forces that had been killed in Iraq to date, which was seen by many to be a political statement

"You've always been very nice to me, so give this new anchor team for Nightline a fair break. If you don't, I promise you the network will just put another comedy show in this time slot. Then you'll be sorry. And that's our report for tonight, I'm Ted Koppel in Washington and from all of us here at ABC News, good night."