Television

Full release on KTLA's fortified news schedule

Here's what Channel 5 has to say about the new shows and hours. 'News at 1' begins today.

‘KTLA News at 1’ Debuts Wednesday, April 1; Morning News

Now Starts Earlier with New ‘KTLA News at 4:30’


Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 1, 2009 – In moves to further solidify its position as a news leader in Southern California, KTLA-TV today will launch the one-hour KTLA News at 1 and KTLA News at 4:30 to its weekday morning news schedule.

Concurrently, the station has elevated Jason Ball to news director from his previous role as assistant news director.

KTLA President-General Manager Don Corsini made the announcements today.

Frank Buckley and Michaela Pereira will anchor the afternoon broadcast, with Jessica Holmes reporting on weather and entertainment. Los Angeles Times business columnist Tom Petruno will deliver “Money Matters”, the first local television news report on Wall Street’s closing bell, while Times’ food editor Russ Parsons and test kitchen manager Noelle Carter will cover the “Eat Beat.”

Asha Blake, meanwhile, has been named as anchor of the KTLA News at 4:30.

“This major expansion of our already substantial local news coverage, along with the well-deserved promotion of Jason Ball to news director, will further enhance KTLA’s already deep local connection to our community,” Corsini says. “Under Jason’s watch, KTLA has significantly increased the depth and breadth of our news franchise, playing a significant role in the creation of these new broadcasts.”

Ball comments, “Since joining KTLA News last summer, I’ve been fortunate to have been surrounded by a team of consummate news professionals and a strong management team with longstanding roots in the Southland. They have all provided valuable support to our efforts to nurture and grow the station’s news product. I have so much respect for the history and legacy of KTLA as a Los Angeles television institution and I’m very excited to be a part of the Tribune Company, with its unmatched commitment to local news and the community.”

With the addition of KTLA News at 4:30 and KTLA News at 1, KTLA will present 8 hours of live local news Monday through Friday to Southland viewers.

Ball joined KTLA from KCBS/KCAL-TV last September, where he served for six years as senior executive producer. He was responsible for daily and long-term content, as well as news decision making for the duopoly. Prior to joining KCBS/KCAL in 2002, Ball was a producer of KNBC-TV news, Los Angeles, executive producer of WPLG-TV news, Miami, and producer of WREG-TV news, Memphis.

KTLA is where L.A. Lives, connecting to the community through reliable and award-winning news and compelling entertainment in standard and high definition. KTLA is a Tribune Broadcasting station. For additional information visit www.ktla.com.


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