Tom Van Amburg, a broadcast TV executive known for his keen eye for talent and skill at developing local programming during his tenure as the leader of KABC-TV Los Angeles and other ABC O&O stations, died June 24 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 83.
Van Amburg was the father of Zack Van Amburg, co-head of worldwide video for Apple, and entertainment marketing executive Chris Van Amburg.
Tom Van Amburg took the helm of KABC-TV in 1981 and was a key player in maintaining the station’s dominance as Los Angeles’ most-watched local news outlet. He had the foresight to give Regis Philbin a local daytime talk show, “A.M. Los Angeles with Regis Philbin,” which evolved into the nationally syndicated powerhouse that endures today as “Live with Kelly and Mark.” He was a consistent innovator in news programming, and he championed the careers of long-running L.A. anchors including Jerry Dunphy, Christine Lund, Paul Moyers and Chuck Henry.
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