Anchored by John Cameron Swayze, it aired from February 16, 1949,[1] to October 26, 1956, and was replaced by The Huntley–Brinkley Report.

[2] In early 1955, the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, maker of Camel cigarettes, cut back its sponsorship to three days a week.

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]: 73  In late 1961 and early 1962, Swayze served as one of three anchors of ABC News's evening news program[3]: 140-41  but became best-known for his appearances in commercials for Timex watches.