At KCET, Kobin hired television personality Huell Howser, whose “California’s Gold,” “Visiting with Huell Howser” and other programs continue as mainstays in the station lineup, even after Howser’s death seven years ago. Kobin and his team are credited with helping to create community outreach programs that included “Life & Times,” “California Stories” and “KCET Journal.”
“Bill was the one who said, ‘Yes, we are going to put news and public affairs up there with other key programs,” said Val Zavala, a former KCET news director who co-hosted “Life & Times” with many other top Los Angeles journalists. “We couldn’t do it without him. He had such commitment and such integrity and yet he was one of these quiet strong leaders. I was just so fortunate to be there when he was there.