Ted Koppel is returning to network television. Koppel will join the "Rock Center with Brian Williams" which premieres on Halloween. The requent contributor to NPR and BBC America is joining the show as a special correspondent. "We’re truly honored to have Ted join Rock Center with Brian Williams ... " said Steve Capus, President of NBC news. "A pioneer of broadcast journalism, Ted has touched every major news event spanning nearly five decades, and not only does he bring a tremendous amount of experience to the broadcast, he is a tireless advocate for quality journalism, and is one of our profession’s premiere storytellers." Koppel spent 25 years with newsmagazine Nightline and spent over 42 years with now-rival network ABC when he left in 2005, including as the founding anchor of Nightline.  Koppel's hiring confirms rumors and whispers over the summer about the sexy-named newsmag trying to up its star power. Managing editor Brian Williams adds Koppel to a roster that includes: Harry Smith, Kate Snow, Meredith Vieira, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, Richard Engel, Matt Lauer and Ann Curry.   

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Alexander Abad-Santos