Uncut Godfather Sets TNN Record

TNN: The National Network's Dec. 4 uncut telecast of The Godfather
drew a 1.8 Nielsen Media Research rating, the highest for a TNN movie telecast
since the network relaunched in September 2000.

The three-and-a-half-hour telecast -- the first time the movie has appeared
uncut on broadcast or basic cable -- drew ratings 83 percent higher than TNN's
fourth-quarter-2000 primetime average.

The telecast also outperformed Bravo's May 7 edited version of the film by
200 percent, network officials said.

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.