| Camel News Caravan | |
|---|---|
| Format | News |
| Presented by | John Cameron Swayze |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Running time | 15 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | NBC |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Original run | February 16, 1948 – October 26, 1956 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Huntley-Brinkley Report |
The Camel News Caravan was a 15 minute American television news program aired by NBC News from February 14, 1949[1] to October 26, 1956. Sponsored by the Camel cigarette brand and anchored by John Cameron Swayze, it was the first NBC news program to use NBC filmed news stories rather than movie newsreels. On February 16, 1954, the Camel News Caravan became the first news program broadcast in color, making use of 16mm color film.[2] In early 1955, the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, maker of Camel cigarettes, cut back its sponsorship to three days a week. Chrysler's Plymouth division sponsored the other days, and on those days, the program was labelled the Plymouth News Caravan. The program featured a young Washington correspondent named David Brinkley, and competed against Douglas Edwards with the News on rival CBS. With greater resources, the News Caravan attracted a larger audience than its CBS competition until 1955.[3]
Network news had a humble beginning. Launched on February 16, 1948 by NBC, Camel Newsreel Theatre was a 10-minute program that featured Fox Movietone News newsreels. John Cameron Swayze provided voice-over for the series. The Camel News Caravan was an expanded version of the Camel Newsreel Theatre.
The Camel News Caravan was replaced by the Huntley-Brinkley Report on October 29, 1956. President Dwight D. Eisenhower had word passed to NBC's White House correspondent that the president was displeased by the switch.[4] In late 1961 and early 1962, Swayze served as one of three anchors of ABC News's evening news program[5] but was better known for his appearances in commercials for Timex watches.[6]