Long-lasting 'Christopher Closeup' show to end its 55-year run

Published: 2007-07-26

NEW YORK (CNS) -- "Christopher Closeup," the television show sponsored by the organization that says it's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness, will no longer be broadcast after the end of the summer. "Christopher Closeup" enjoyed a 55-year run on TV -- exceeded only by CBS' evening newscast, NBC's "Meet the Press" and "Today," and the CBS soap opera "Guiding Light." "It was a very difficult decision," said a statement by Christophers president and CEO Dennis Heaney, the show's host, "but given the evolving media landscape, we think it's the right opportunity to focus our resources on emerging technologies like podcasts and webcasts, as well as reinforcing our presence on broadcast and satellite radio." Heaney added, "We take pride in the fact that we had such an outstanding run in a fickle TV universe where 10 years is considered a long time." In its heyday in the 1970s, "Christopher Closeup," a syndicated half-hour public affairs program, reached 200-300 TV stations, including the ABC affiliate in New York City and five-days-a-week airings in Washington.

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