TV One Taps NBC Exec for Top Programming Spot

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

TV One Tuesday named veteran television-programming executive Lee Gaither as its executive vice president of programming and production.

Gaither will oversee all program production, acquisition, scheduling and development for the African-American-targeted network.

Gaither joins TV One from NBC, where he was VP of programming and development for NBC Entertainment.

"Lee’s breadth and depth of experience in all aspects of the programming business will prove invaluable as we build an entertainment-programming strategy designed to make TV One the premier television destination for African-American adults," TV One president and CEO Johnathan Rodgers said in a prepared statement.

R. Thomas Umstead
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.