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
![Celtics vs. Pacers in Game 1 of 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Finals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rPNnKtRQCDcrzYAWkSeZ9a-320-80.jpg)
TNT, ESPN Stay Hot in Primetime Ratings With NBA Playoffs Coverage
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Fox News Channel tops total-day chart for 20th consecutive week
![Peacock's 'We Are Lady Parts'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jXBJyrD6b54Bj79RnqyKw7-320-80.jpg)
‘We Are Lady Parts,’ ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ Return: What’s Premiering This Week (May 28-June 2)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services
![LaKendra Davis Moxie, the 2024 Catalyst Award winner for The WICT Network of Southern California](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LyuQ3BB9dsTPJJ9HHS7W2h-320-80.jpg)
Cox’s LaKendra Davis Moxie To Receive Catalyst Award at Wonder Women of L.A.
By R. Thomas Umstead published
WICT Network SoCal will honor cable operator’s VP of fulfillment operations
![Indianapolis 500 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4Ttdntwhq8w3FRMweJyBwT-320-80.jpg)
Indy 500; NBA, NHL Playoffs: What’s on This Weekend in TV Sports (May 25-27)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend’s top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services
![Jesse Owens](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WHfGVghxTbwL26mS7fBubP-320-80.png)
History, LeBron James’ SpringHill Company Capture Jesse Owens' Legacy in New Documentary (Video)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
‘Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics’ set to debut June 19
![Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes to the basket during the game against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during Round 2 Game 7 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FLUcTxN7XDtdnLzDnmApDQ-320-80.jpg)
Weekly Cable Ratings: TNT Secures Fourth Straight Primetime Win
By R. Thomas Umstead published
ESPN finishes second in primetime on strength of NBA, NHL playoffs coverage
![Delroy Lindo and Kerry Washington in Hulu's 'UnPrisoned'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jgnGG3r5YECMUBUrZriotN-320-80.jpg)
OWN, Hulu, Disney Plus Win Multiple NAMIC Vision Awards
By R. Thomas Umstead published
NBC’s ‘Found’ notches drama series honors; Hulu’s ‘UnPrisoned’ wins in comedy category
![The Great War](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8JnucQhJ3stfeHQWTcVaba-320-80.jpg)
History’s ‘The Great War Debuts,’ Apple TV Plus’ ‘Trying’ Returns: What’s Premiering This Week (May 20-27)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services
![Jockey John Velazquez #1 on National Treasure (R) and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. #7 aboard Blazing Sevens come out of the fourth turn during the 148th Running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 20, 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LNi696uThR8orazNkkvDRZ-320-80.jpg)
Preakness Stakes; Premier League ‘Championship Sunday’: What’s on This Weekend in TV Sports (May 18-19)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend's top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services
![Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever heads for the net as DiJonai Carrington #21 of the Connecticut Sun defends in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FDjP33V6cwx9YJysCv5ym-320-80.jpg)
Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Debut Draws Record Cable Rating
By R. Thomas Umstead published
ESPN2 telecast of Indiana-Connecticut game draws 2.1 million viewers
!['Never Too Much’ on CNN](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oRKgcRYgqMECBmCkuLrQ3E-320-80.jpg)
CNN Films, OWN Acquire Luther Vandross Documentary
By R. Thomas Umstead published
‘Never Too Much’ to debut in 2025
!['Hard Knocks: Offseason With the New York Giants'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ytzGgBiN2ugHCYZunNYAVo-320-80.jpg)
New HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ Series Will Follow N.Y. Giants Offseason Moves
By R. Thomas Umstead published
‘Hard Knocks: Offseason With the New York Giants’ launches July 2
![Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball while Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves plays defense during the game during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3xaRsCE6VCadtMdHvEQM76-320-80.jpg)
Weekly Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs Score for TNT, ESPN in Primetime
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Fox News Channel dominates total-day chart
![Netflix's 'Bridgerton'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qbe9gJK4464uWu6DMGczXA-320-80.jpg)
Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ Returns, Apple TV Plus’ ‘The Big Cigar’ Debuts: What’s Premiering This Week (May 13-19)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services
![Peacock's 'Ted'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dM26DWCLmA9egja8oCD3RP-320-80.jpg)
Peacock's 'Ted' Coming Back for New Season
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Seth MacFarlane-produced comedy series gets second season renewal
![In Demand logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/peZ5eyK7WPcLp2Wy9FvJXJ-320-80.jpg)
In Demand To Shut Down at End of 2025
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Pay-per-view content aggregator served as liaison between event distributors, MVPDs
![Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round 2 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nbYoFwzGEiRQ9Jn75jvaGS-320-80.jpg)
NBA, NHL Playoffs Continue; Braves-Mets Battle on 'Sunday Night Baseball:' What’s On This Weekend in TV Sports (May 11-12)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend's top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services
![Real Housewives of Atlanta](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4oJdVXLyRsyMrF9rZ4LS6E-320-80.jpg)
New Snoop Dogg Unscripted Series, ‘Real Housewives’ Renewals To Highlight NBCU Cable Programming Slate
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Syfy scripted series ‘Revival,’ USA competition series ‘The Anonymous’ among new shows to be unveiled at NBCU upfront
![Special Ops: Lioness](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8rhin8GSE5RFzSAaC2YmRF-320-80.jpg)
Paramount Plus’s ‘Lioness’ Returns for Second Season
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman to star to espionage thriller’s sophomore campaign
!['The Chi' on Showtime](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g6LQ2GrZdfBGxefjNvdSMX-320-80.jpg)
Showtime Renews ‘The Chi’
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Drama series gets seventh-season nod before the end of season six
![Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dBCPxrFEJwigMcStVwQX5G-320-80.jpg)
Weekly Cable Ratings: NBA-Fueled TNT Repeats as Primetime Champion
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Fox News Channel continues to roll on a 24-hour basis
![Interview With The Vampire](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qnaFDpmQmjLMseMEJMgs4a-320-80.jpg)
‘Interview with the Vampire,’ ‘Pretty Little Liars: Summer School’ Return to TV: What’s Premiering This Week (May 6-12)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services
![Cable TV Pioneers logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wkTuocq6JvM7L72kxiUcBV-320-80.jpg)
Cable TV Pioneers Inducts 21 Into 2024 Class
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Group’s 58th annual banquet set for Sept. 23 in Atlanta