FIRST OFF . . .

Av Westin, former executive producer of ABC News’ “20/20,” “Our World” and “World News Tonight,” has been named senior vice president of reality-based programming at King World Productions, the syndicator of such programs as “Wheel of Fortune,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Inside Edition.” King World said that Westin, who has won scores of distinguished awards during his 35 years in the network news business, will create a new syndicated news magazine tentatively titled “30 Minutes” and consult on the tabloid-oriented “Inside Edition.” Though “Inside Edition” is the ninth highest-rated syndicated program in the country, it has performed poorly for KCBS Channel 2, which will drop the show this fall in favor of “Wheel of Fortune.” Starting in September, “Inside Edition” will move to KHJ Channel 9.