1953 in radio

Overview of the events of 1953 in radio

The year 1953 saw a number of significant happenings in radio broadcasting history.

Events

• 1 January – In Ireland Erskine Childers, the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, appoints a new executive council, Comhairle Radio Éireann, to take over day-to-day responsibility for the state broadcasting service.
• 15 January – Harry Truman becomes the first President of the United States to broadcast his farewell address on radio and television.
• 19 March – For the first time the Academy Awards ceremony (broadcast annually on radio since 1930) is also carried on television.
• 3 May – German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle begins regular transmissions.
• 19 October – American CBS presenter Arthur Godfrey dismisses singer Julius La Rosa live on air on the radio-only segment of Godfrey's morning show.^[1]

Debuts

• 1 January – Cathy and Elliott Lewis on Stage debuts on CBS.^[2]
• 7 January – The Crime Files of Flamond debuts on Mutual.^[2]
• 15 January – Time for Love debuts on CBS.^[3]
• 8 February – Hallmark Hall of Fame debuts on CBS.^[3]
• 8 June – Family Skeleton debuts on CBS.^[3]
• 5 July – Confession debuts on NBC.^[3]
• 21 July – The Baron and the Bee debuts on NBC.^[3]
• 20 September – The Six Shooter debuts on NBC.^[3]
• 23 October – House of Glass returns after an 18-year hiatus, this time on NBC.^[3]
• 3 November – To Be Perfectly Frank debuts on NBC.^[4]

Closings

• (undated) – Bright Star ends its run in syndication by Ziv Company.^[3]
• 16 January – Your Hit Parade ends its run on network radio (NBC).^[2]
• 30 January – This Is Your FBI ends its run on network radio (ABC)^[2]
• 1 February – Hallmark Playhouse ends its run on network radio (CBS).^[3]
• 3 March – Life with Luigi ends its run on CBS.
• 31 March – Cavalcade of America (1935–1953) ends its run on NBC.^[3]
• 18 April – The Affairs of Peter Salem ends its run on network radio (Mutual).^[3]
• 19 April – The Aldrich Family ends its run on network radio (NBC).^[3]
• 5 June – Aunt Jemima ends its run on network radio (CBS).^[3]
• 28 June – The Chase ends its run on network radio (NBC).^[3]
• 19 July – Jason and the Golden Fleece ends its run on network radio (NBC).^[3]
• 27 July – The Bob Hawk Show ends its run on network radio (CBS).^[3]
• 5 September – Archie Andrews ends its run on network radio (NBC).^[3]
• 6 September – December Bride ends its run on network radio (CBS).^[3]
• 13 September – Confession ends its run on network radio (NBC).^[3]
• 27 September – The First Nighter Program ends its run on network radio (NBC).^[3]
• 27 September – Best Plays ends its run on network radio (NBC).^[3]
• 19 November – Father Knows Best ends its run on network radio (NBC).^[3]

Births

• 6 January – Paul Mayhew-Archer, English comedy writer and producer.
• 22 February – Geoffrey Perkins, English comedy producer (d. 2008).
• 3 October – Buzz Burbank, American newsman for the Don and Mike Show from 2 December 1991 and the Mike O'Meara Show.
• Bob Cruz, American disc jockey on WABC from 1976 (d. 1995).

Deaths

• 9 November – Dylan Thomas, Welsh poet and radio broadcaster (b. 1914).

References

1. Ahlfors, Elizabeth. "Julie's Story". Juliuslarosa.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
2. Cox, Jim (2008). This Day in Network Radio: A Daily Calendar of Births, Debuts, Cancellations and Other Events in Broadcasting History. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-3848-8. p. 6.
3. Dunning, John. (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3.
4. "In Review: To Be Perfectly Frank" (PDF). Broadcasting. 23 November 1953. p. 15. Retrieved 27 August 2018.