Fox News Turns In Ratings Thriller

Fox News Channel was the big winner in the June 13 Michael Jackson verdict ratings sweepstakes.

More than 4.5 million viewers tuned into Fox News from 5 p.m.-5:15 p.m. to hear 12 Santa Maria, Calif., jurors sitting on the Jackson child-molestation case clear the pop star of all charges.

Cable News Network drew 3.5 million viewers to its coverage of the Jackson verdict during the quarter hour, while MSNBC garnered 1.3 million viewers during the time period.

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.