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
![Wes Hills #31 of the Michigan Panthers leaps over Chris Payton-Jones #9 of the St. Louis Battlehawks during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on March 30, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RcfGsb8RBP4oQryPpkexrb-320-80.jpg)
UFL Sees a Surge in Spring Football Ratings
By R. Thomas Umstead published
First half of merged league’s inaugural season generated more viewers than year-ago USFL and XFL games
![Canelo Alvarez (L) and Jermell Charlo battle in Showtime's September 30 pay-per-view boxing match.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HSkAdrdrJwAMyZtNoJSUH6-320-80.jpg)
Canelo Alvarez-Jaime Munguia PPV Boxing Event; ‘UFC 301’; Kentucky Derby: What’s on This Weekend in TV Sports (May 4-5)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend’s top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services
!['The Life & Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson' on Lifetime](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jzWu6vwn27JDPDmywgwV84-320-80.jpg)
Lifetime Sets Nicole Brown Simpson Documentary
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Two-night event chronicles life, murder of O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife
![nthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves slam dunks the ball ahead of Bradley Beal #3 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 28, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/T6Ce4EKhoAAoJLTEBdYnLa-320-80.jpg)
Weekly Cable Ratings: NBA, NHL Playoffs, NFL Draft Score for TNT, ESPN in Primetime
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Fox News stays hot on total day chart
![Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bzyVUSoZAoMEajvjVNS6uZ-320-80.jpg)
Mike Tyson-Jake Paul Bout Sanctioned as Professional Fight
By R. Thomas Umstead published
New York, Texas fight press conferences set for Netflix-distributed event
![Peacock's '2023 Back That Year Up with Kevin Hart and keenan Thompson](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2UMjaQBPP6TRarDYVBk5b7-320-80.jpg)
Kevin Hart, Kenan Thompson To Host Olympics Highlights Series on Peacock
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Eight-episode series to offer timely, comedic recaps of 2024 Paris Olympics events
![‘Snapped’ on Oxygen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CRyR7dUtKuP3Afhpx6PT6R-320-80.jpg)
Oxygen’s ‘Snapped’ Celebrates 20th Anniversary With May Special
By R. Thomas Umstead published
True crime series drawing record viewers in 33rd season, says network
![Max's 'Hacks'](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9CLh6KooiEPa7zLUXWGkm3-320-80.jpg)
‘Hacks’ Returns, ‘The Veil’ Debuts: What’s Premiering This Week (April 29-May 5)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services
![Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V4EyMGWeMtFkvPKsehW57E-320-80.jpg)
NBA, NHL Playoffs Roll On; NFL Draft Concludes: What’s on This Weekend in TV Sports (April 27-28)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend’s top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services
![Nathan Lane](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ViQovjdGanNyZH63Ge78bY-320-80.jpg)
Nathan Lane, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Carl Clemons-Hopkins Get Critics Choice Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television Honors
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Inaugural ceremony to take place June 7 in Los Angeles
![Bryce Young poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ledjq34fvT7h83559gZ5VL-320-80.jpg)
ESPN, ABC To Lead NFL Draft Coverage
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Caleb Williams, Drake Maye highlight top quarterbacks expected to be drafted early
![Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wvmWBGPFEim7SsNS67CB5Y-320-80.jpg)
Nick Carter, Aaron Carter Subject of New Investigation Discovery Docuseries
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Four-part series to delve into the lives of the two troubled stars
!['The Five' on Fox News Channel](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vbJCJwvrhhaLqvEv9J9CXk-320-80.jpg)
Weekly Cable Ratings: Fox News Channel Outpaces NBA, NHL Postseason
By R. Thomas Umstead published
News network wins in primetime, total day as playoffs propel ESPN, TNT into primetime top 3
![Gervonta Davis (L) fights Ryan Garcia in an April 23 PPV boxing event](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VnnvkdUrwzRnnZVy63z3ZT-320-80.jpg)
Marquee Events Heat Up Pay-Per-View Boxing Category
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Devonta Davis, Canelo Alvarez, David Benavidez and Tyson Fury slated for fights over the next two months
![Mary Holland and Josh Segarra in ‘The Big Door Prize’ on Apple TV Plus.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/44JujMqj4NT98NFzHuv4S9-320-80.jpg)
Apple TV Plus’s ‘The Big Door Prize,’ Max’s ‘Velma’ Return to the Small Screen: What’s Premiering This Week (April 22-28)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services
![Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 14, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zefFbDQVjpcogCNZLU2NL3-320-80.jpeg)
NBA Playoffs Will Offer Viewers Something Familiar, Something New
By R. Thomas Umstead published
ESPN, TNT Sports hope mix of fresh teams, players and postseason stalwarts will drive ratings
![Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates his third period goal against the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden on April 15, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XXETofpe5zdMSPu2ejrZsY-320-80.jpeg)
NHL, NBA Playoffs Begin; Haney-Garcia PPV Boxing Event: What’s on This Weekend in TV Sports (April 20-21)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend's top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services
![Devin Haney-Ryan Garcia PPV Boxing Event](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BUS9yqDFkfFWxNN34MPQE9-320-80.jpg)
Hall of Fame Boxing Announcer Jim Lampley Chatting Up the Sweet Science on PPV.com (Q&A)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Will host PPV.com’s live chat for the April 20 Devin Haney-Ryan Garcia PPV boxing event
![The Basketball Tournament logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zsXJmCnkao8EkNQaSbTAg8-320-80.jpg)
Fox Sports, TBT Secure Multiyear Media Deal
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Fox, FS1, FS2 to air 27 live games from hoops tourney
![Rashida Jones](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxyLQxdBqiENH75WgQvCac-320-80.jpg)
Apple TV Plus Sets July Premiere for Rashida Jones Series ‘Sunny’
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Mystery drama to debut July 10 with two episodes
![Iga Swiatek of Poland visits the Tennis Channel studio after defeating Maria Sakkari of Greece in the womens singles final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 17, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LWsKNgFPkHC97hu42uPsQe-320-80.jpeg)
Ken Solomon: Tennis Channel Looking to Score With Fans Across Multiple Platforms (TV Sportsplay)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Network president says Tennis Channel serving fans on linear, FAST, SVOD platforms, and will launch DTC service in 2024
![UConn vs. Purdue in the 2024 NCAA men’s national championship game](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ggiNpozeqnqWhVU7aywHSg-320-80.jpeg)
Weekly Cable Ratings: Fox News Dunks TBS, TNT’s ‘March Madness’ Title Game Coverage to Recapture Primetime Crown
By R. Thomas Umstead published
News network rolls to 14th straight total-day win
![Caitlin Clark and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert at the 2024 WNBA Draft.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r7H7kGB6nagmps7Dp7krCB-320-80.jpg)
Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Help ESPN Score Record 2.4 Million Viewers for WNBA Draft
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Women’s sports content maintains its momentum after record-setting March Madness title game