The Huntley-Brinkley Report, a seminal American television news program, was not only defined by its iconic anchors, Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, but also by the dedicated production team and the strategic decisions that shaped its evolution. From its inception in 1956 to its conclusion in 1970, the program underwent significant changes, including its duration and the personnel behind the camera, all contributing to its status as a leading news source
for over a decade. The program's development and production were crucial to its ability to attract critical acclaim and a large audience, ultimately influencing the landscape of television journalism.
Key Figures in Production and Early Challenges
Initially, The Huntley-Brinkley Report was developed and produced by Reuven Frank. Frank played a pivotal role in establishing the program's format and tone. However, he left the program in 1962 to produce documentaries, with Eliot Frankel stepping in as his replacement. Frank's return the following year coincided with a major expansion of the program, indicating his continued importance to its success. Later, Wallace Westfeldt served as the executive producer, overseeing the program during a significant period. Producers Lester Crystal and David Teitelbaum, along with editors Henrik Krogius and Gilbert Millstien, were also integral to the daily operation and quality of the broadcast.
Despite its eventual success, the program faced initial challenges. When it first aired, it reportedly lost audience from its predecessor, the Camel News Caravan, anchored by John Cameron Swayze. Even President Dwight D. Eisenhower was said to be displeased by the switch. In the summer of 1957, the program struggled to attract advertisers. However, as its content improved, it began to gain critical praise and a larger audience. By 1958, it had drawn even with CBS's competing program, and a significant boost came in June 1958 when Texaco began purchasing all of its advertising, an arrangement that continued for three years, leading to its occasional designation as "The Texaco Huntley-Brinkley Report."
Expansion, Innovation, and Later Shifts
One of the most significant evolutions for The Huntley-Brinkley Report was its expansion from a 15-minute broadcast to a 30-minute format on September 9, 1963. This change occurred exactly one week after the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite also expanded, signaling a broader trend in network news to offer more in-depth coverage. This expansion allowed for a more comprehensive presentation of news and further solidified television's role as a primary news medium. The program also pioneered the use of color broadcasting, becoming the first weekday network evening news program to air in color on November 15, 1965. This technological advancement was also extended to NBC's weekend news programs, the Saturday's Scherer-MacNeil Report and Sunday's Frank McGee Report.
Towards the end of the decade, the program's ratings began to slip as CBS's Walter Cronkite gained fame for his coverage of the space program, a field in which neither Huntley nor Brinkley had a strong interest. While they occasionally participated in space coverage, Frank McGee was NBC's primary anchor for such events. Some observers at NBC also felt the program's quality began to decline after a 1967 strike by members of AFTRA. Brinkley honored the picket lines, but Huntley, who viewed himself as "a newsman, not a performer," did not, remaining at the anchor desk. This split puzzled viewers who had come to admire their teamwork, unaware that their relationship was largely professional and geographically separated, with rare in-person meetings outside of major events like political conventions.
