FIRST OFF . . .

The New York Philharmonic radio network, which has lost its sponsorship by the Exxon Corp., has announced it will conclude its weekly radio concerts with its Dec. 25 broadcast. Although the Philharmonic is looking for a replacement sponsor for its two-hour broadcasts--heard on about 235 stations nationwide, including KUSC-FM in Los Angeles--Exxon’s retreat is the latest in a series of corporate funding problems that has some classical programmers concerned about the future of national broadcasts. “I think it’s a terrible indication of the state of the arts when a national institution that has meant so much to so many people is allowed to go off the air,” said Roy Hemming, producer of the broadcasts. Last April, “Carnegie Hall Tonight” went off the air after four years of broadcasts when AT&T; ceased its sponsorship commitment; and around the same time, H.J. Heinz withdrew its funding of the Pittsburgh Symphony’s broadcasts.