| Transcription | FIRESTONE AND NBC PART AFTER 25 YRS.
To Resurrect Caesar?
By ART CULLISON
Beacon Journal Radio-TV Writer
For the last 25 years, the "Voice of Firestone" radio and television program has been coming to listeners all over the nation via National Broadcasting Co.
After June 7, that relationship will end. The musical program, featuring Howard Barlow's orchestra, and the most brilliant names fo opera and concert sponsored by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. will move awy from NBC.
The break came as result of a demand by National Broadcasting Co. that Firestone give up its 8:30 p.m. Monday spot— a spot which the Firestone company had held through the quarter century — so that another program could be put in its place.
A new show, featuring Sid Caesar, is understood to be scheduled for the Firestone time next Fall. Caesar is presently co-starred with Imogene Coca on Saturday nights — a show whose listener-rating has
been declining steadily.
American Broadcasting Co. and Columbia Broadcasting System are both bidding for the "Voice of Firestone" and it is presumed the Firestone program will not be off the air for any length of time, if at all.
The "Voice of Firestone" has been on NBC radio since Dec. 3, 1928. The radio-and-television simulcast is five years old.
The late Harvey S. Firestone, Sr., himself presided over the first broadcast of the program, indicating at that time the program would be a permanent fixture on Monday nights at 8:30.
It is estimated the Firestone simulcast costs the company $20,000 a week, plus line and station charges. |
