War news sends Kaplan to ABC

Rick Kaplan, who left ABC News in 1997 after 17 years to run CNN USA, is returning to ABC to oversee its coverage of a potential war with Iraq.

During his ABC time, Kaplan, a master of live programming, held most of the top producing jobs, including executive producer of “World News Tonight,” “Nightline” and “PrimeTime Live.” Kaplan started CNN on its transition to a more highly produced star-anchor system, but he was unsuccessful in developing prime-time programs that tapped into synergy with sister magazines at Time Inc. He left CNN in a 2000 shakeup and has recently been teaching.

ABC News said Wednesday it hired Kaplan to oversee special events coverage for the next three months, a period that could mean coordinating coverage of a U.S.-led war on Iraq. He arrives as Paul Friedman, ABC News’ executive vice president, departs his management post, but insiders insisted he is not replacing Friedman, although his short-term assignment could turn into a longer-term job.

-- Elizabeth Jensen