| Camel News Caravan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presented by | John Cameron Swayze |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Running time | 15 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | February 16, 1949 (1949-02-16) – October 26, 1956 (1956-10-26) |
| Related | |
The Camel News Caravan orCamel Caravan of News is an American television program broadcast byNBC. Anchored byJohn Cameron Swayze, it aired from February 16, 1949,[1] to October 26, 1956, and was replaced byThe Huntley–Brinkley Report. Sponsored bythe Camel cigarette brand, it was the first NBC news program to use NBC filmed news stories rather than movienewsreels. On February 16, 1954, theCamel News Caravan became the first news program broadcast in color, making use of 16mm color film.[2] In early 1955, theR.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, maker of Camel cigarettes, cut back its sponsorship to three days a week.Chrysler'sPlymouth division sponsored the other days, and on those days, the program was labelled thePlymouth News Caravan. The program featured a young Washington correspondent namedDavid Brinkley, and competed againstDouglas Edwards with the News on rivalCBS. With greater resources, theNews Caravan attracted a larger audience than its CBS competition until 1955.[3]
Launched on February 16, 1948, by NBC asNBC Television Newsreel, and laterCamel Newsreel Theatre, it began as a 10-minute program that featuredFox Movietone News newsreels. John Cameron Swayze provided voice-over for the series. TheCamel News Caravan was an expanded version of theCamel Newsreel Theatre and featured Swayze on-camera. It was also known as theCamel Caravan of News.[4]
Beginning in September 1956, R. J. Reynolds withdrew from sponsoring theCaravan after more than eight years, having already reduced its sponsorship to two days owing to high costs and competition from children's programming on ABC and CBS. At that time, the program was being promoted as theNBC News Caravan, and sponsors included Reynolds (Monday and Thursday),Sperry-Rand (Tuesday), Miles Labs (Friday and alternating Wednesdays), andTime Inc. (alternating Wednesdays).[5]
TheCamel News Caravan was replaced byThe Huntley–Brinkley Report on October 29, 1956.[6] PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower had word passed to NBC'sWhite House correspondent that the president was displeased by the switch.[3]: 73 In late 1961 and early 1962, Swayze served as one of three anchors ofABC News'sevening news program[3]: 140-41 but became best-known for his appearances in commercials forTimex watches.[7]