At KTLA, Sam Rubin was a local morning news pioneer who covered Hollywood with zeal
KTLA entertainment reporter Sam Rubin was at the center of a local TV news revolution. Rubin, who died Friday of a heart attack at 64, became a central member of “KTLA 5 Morning News” soon after its launch on July 8. 1991. The early morning broadcast was a bold experiment: Local news stations had usually focused on their evening newscasts, feeling that morning viewers would be more likely to tune into national programs like NBC’s “The Today Show” or ABC’s “Good Morning America.” But the Channel 5 broadcast instantly struck a chord with its emphasis on news and events around Los Angeles. Its success was due to its loose approach and a collection of anchors and reporters who interacted with breezy banter. The original team included anchors Carlos Amezcua and Barbara Beck, weatherman Mark Kriski, traffic reporter Jennifer York and reporter Eric Spillman. Rubin joined the unit three months after its premiere, and he made an instant impression with his energetic delivery and clear enthusiasm for Hollywood news and gossip. The format became so popular that KTTV Channel 11 soon started its own morning broadcast.