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

‘Outlander’ Returns; ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Debuts: What’s Premiering This Week (June 12-18)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services

NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Belmont Stakes: What’s On This Weekend in TV Sports (June 10-11)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend's top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services

Showtime Lines Up Wilt Chamberlain Documentary Series
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Three-part series profiling NBA great debuts July 16

Paramount Plus Sets July Premiere Date for Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ Series
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Military-themed thriller starring Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman premieres July 23

HGTV Sets July Return for New Season of ‘Lil Jon Wants to Do What?’
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Home renovation series launches second season July 10

Showtime Pulls Plug on ‘I Love That For You’
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Comedy series canceled after one season

Starz’s ‘Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham’ Returns in August
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Second season of travel docuseries starring ‘Outlander’s’ Sam Heughan debuts August 11

Weekly Cable Ratings: Celtics-Heat Game 7 Clinches Primetime Win for TNT
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Series decider draws 11.9 million viewers as Fox News’s total-day streak hits 22 weeks

‘Never Have I Ever’ Final Season, ‘Cruel Summer’ Return: What’s Premiering This Week (June 5-11)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Begin on TNT; N.Y. Yankees-L.A. Dodgers on ESPN: What’s On This Weekend in TV Sports (June 3-4)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend's top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services

TNT Hopes Its First Stanley Cup Finals Will Maintain Hockey’s Ratings Momentum
By R. Thomas Umstead published
WBD Sports content chief Craig Barry confident fans will tune into TNT, TBS, truTV game simulcasts in big numbers

BET Plus Renews ‘The Ms. Pat Show;’ Sets 2 New Projects With Patricia Williams
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Animated series, scripted workplace comedy in development at streaming service

HBO Renews ‘Somebody Somewhere’ for Third Season
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Comedy series stars Bridget Everett, Jeff Hiller

ABC Tips Off Its NBA Finals Coverage
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Denver Nuggets-Miami Heat finals series starts Thursday

Showtime to Distribute July Errol Spence-Terence Crawford PPV Boxing Event
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Welterweight unification fight set for July 29 in Las Vegas

Weekly Cable Ratings: TNT Ends NBA, NHL Playoffs Coverage on Ratings High Note
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Fox News Channel rolls to 21st straight win in total day

Asian Viewers Look to Streamers for Targeted Content: Horowitz Research
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Streaming content represents six out of every 10 hours of viewing time among Asian viewers, according to report

The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp Heat Up HBO’s ‘The Idol’: What’s Premiering This Week (May 30-June 4)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A listing of original new and returning series, movies and documentaries debuting this week on streaming and cable services

The Five Spot: Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming, Starz
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Studio veteran keeps busy riding herd over a growing roster of diverse originals

Black Women Artists Hit The Right Notes for TV
By R. Thomas Umstead published
As Black Music Month gets underway, female performers show their small-screen appeal

Indianapolis 500, Celtics-Heat NBA Playoffs: What’s On This Weekend in TV Sports (May 27-29)
By R. Thomas Umstead published
A look at the weekend's top TV sports events on broadcast, cable and streaming services

What History Wants You to Know About Its ‘FDR’ Docuseries
By R. Thomas Umstead published
Programming SVP Mary Donohue says 32nd president’s substantial legacy offers takeaways relevant to today
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