With Ted Koppel leaving "Nightline" in December, ABC now must decide not only who but what takes over the slot.

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ABC, which toyed over the years with going to an entertainment format like NBC and CBS, an idea deflected by network executives so far, now has an opportunity for a full-scale change of direction, the New York Times said Friday.

Reportedly, few believe the 11:35 p.m. time slot will still belong to the news division after Koppel's departure. Most appear to believe to do so, ABC would be leaving too much potential money on the table -- an estimated $100 million or more a year, the Times said.

The feeling among many is that the network has to be thinking of finding some star or stars who could compete with competing mainstays Jay Leno and David Letterman. Among those mentioned were Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel and Ellen DeGeneres.