R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.
Latest articles by R. Thomas Umstead
![Iga Swiatek in action at Wimbledon 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GitGRzhkoEr8nhLhkqxsTS-320-80.jpg)
Wimbledon Tournament Coverage: What’s On This Weekend in TV Sports (July 6-7)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend's top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services
![US President Joe Biden, right, and former US President Donald Trump during the first presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Thursday, June 27, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7RvpEWu9baDWwg5nxDCaJC-320-80.jpg)
Weekly Cable Ratings: CNN’s Biden-Trump Debate Propels News Networks in Primetime
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Fox News crushes competition in total day
![Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/idFvZ986Lyg7JwFhPWxxy8-320-80.jpg)
ESPN To Roll Out July 4 Hot Dog Eating Contest Without Champion Joey Chestnut
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Defending men’s champion banned from annual contest
![(From l:) Bria Murphy as Officer Renee Minnick and Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nKCuFsALpkhzdAefh6tNrg-320-80.jpg)
‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ Hits Small Screen: What’s Premiering This Week (July 1-7)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services
![Trigger Warning](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CE5hVL2GF99MxANrdiqBud-320-80.jpg)
Netflix Tops Among ‘Must-Keep’ TV Brands for Fifth-Straight Year
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Streamer tops ABC, Prime Video, CBS in SRG consumer survey
![Alex Pereira of Brazil punches Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the 2023 UFC 295 event](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ojVukr5UqX3j8YxfDxSqHT-320-80.jpg)
UEFA Euro 2024 Action, 'UFC 303' PPV Event: What’s On This Weekend in TV Sports (June 29-30)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend's top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services
!['George: Rise of a Revolutionary'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Jc2LT9bsPMW73Z2sJ2ZMfk-320-80.jpg)
Kelsey Grammer to Host Fox Nation Docudrama on George Washington
By R. Thomas Umstead published
‘George: Rise of a Revolutionary’ to debut July 1
!['Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pp3uwroU3HE2Q62zLXUN9k-320-80.jpg)
‘Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire’ Crashes Max on Independence Day
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Latest Legendary Entertainment ‘Monsterverse’ film debuts on streaming service July 4
![AMC's 'Interview With The Vampire'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d5imxw6vLkcujpQk8sRWZh-320-80.jpg)
AMC Renews ‘Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire’ Ahead of Season 2 Finale
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Sophomore campaign concludes June 30
![Greg Gutfeld, host of Gutfeld! on Fox News](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s7guKasZJBVMrECSi2ExqX-320-80.jpg)
Weekly Cable Ratings: Fox News Three-Peats Atop Primetime
By R. Thomas Umstead published
News network also extends its total-day winning streak
![Jesse Owens](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WHfGVghxTbwL26mS7fBubP-320-80.png)
Running for the Gold: History Channel Revisits Jesse Owens' Olympics Triumph in New Documentary
By R. Thomas Umstead published
'Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics' director Andre Gaines says sprinter's 1936 Germany Olympics achievements remain relevant today
![Key art for HBO’s ‘Lanterns’](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4mmvLNmp33RoXkyYGnyuPU-320-80.jpg)
HBO To Develop Green Lantern Series
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Chris Mundy to helm DC Studios-produced ‘Lanterns’
![A man rides a scooter past banners outside of CNN studios ahead of the first presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia on June 24, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CooEjNkim2wvahLfmSwU-320-80.jpg)
Biden-Trump Presidential Debate: How and Where To Watch
By R. Thomas Umstead published
CNN to televise June 27 event; broadcast networks, cable news nets will carry simulcasts
![Impact Gospel logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nAaaTWMmRwBMi3CPNkz6g-320-80.jpg)
Impact Network Launches Gospel-Themed FAST Channel, Taps Cable Veteran Henry Watson as GM
By R. Thomas Umstead published
TV veterans Paxton Baker, Eric Sherman to serve as senior strategic advisers
![Jeremy Allen White (l.) and Ayo Edebiri in season three of ‘The Bear.’](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sM7QWxhYJM2j3N3dfwJGUK-320-80.jpg)
‘The Bear’ Cooks Up New Season on Hulu; ‘Land of Women’ Debuts on Apple TV Plus: What’s Premiering This Week (June 24-30)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services
![Tennessee Volunteers first baseman Blake Burke (25) slides into home during the 2024 SEC Baseball Tournament game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Texas A&M Aggies on May 23, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zGgeaisnUjGbAwqnHcL5GQ-320-80.jpg)
UEFA Euro 2024, College World Series: What’s On This Weekend in TV Sports (June 22-23)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend's top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services
![Keith Evans of TrillerTV](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7M8pgs4DH3S4PQbnRoEX3Z-320-80.jpg)
TrillerTV Executive Keith Evans Has Died
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Was chief streaming operations officer for the sports streamer formerly known as Fite
![Kevin Costner as John Dutton in Paramount Network's 'Yellowstone'.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cVqcvqjA4aPypCmMf7yvkj-320-80.jpg)
‘Yellowstone’ Final Episodes To Debut in November; Kevin Costner Return Still Uncertain
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Second half of season 5 premieres Nov. 10
![Fox News](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/M5KMrD7btcn7MyQPdnRx7f-320-80.jpg)
Weekly Cable Ratings: Fox News Romps in Primetime, Total Day
By R. Thomas Umstead published
MSNBC, ESPN round out top three most watched networks for the week
![Disco: The Soundtrack of a Revolution](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jA3RkXjwEzQtbJwVgmMk6V-320-80.jpg)
‘Disco in Its Essence Is Social Protest’: Producer Shianne Brown Charts the Music’s Legacy in New PBS Docuseries
By R. Thomas Umstead published
3-part ‘Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution’ tracks history of genre born in the 1970s
![The Africa Channel's 'Music For Wildlife'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yYecpsvJT9vt3vf9ufrBNo-320-80.jpg)
The Africa Channel to Offer June Afrobeats Documentary, ‘Music For Wildlife’ Concert for Black Music Month
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Network to air Juneteenth film marathon featuring 'Legacy' documentary films featuring African and Caribbean stars
![Horowitz Cultural Insights Forum](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3VeQXZ5KmvcmFFibCKiXM-320-80.jpg)
Horowitz Research Will Resume Cultural Insights Forum in November
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Conference focusing on diversity-themed research and strategies to take place at Telemundo Center in Miami
![Orphan Black:Echoes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kDK8qiH7BdMgzUbYagaqgD-320-80.jpg)
‘Orphan Black: Echoes’; ‘Black Barbie’ Documentary: What’s Premiering This Week (June 17-23)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services