Showtime Offers Up ‘The Chi’ For Early Viewing

Showtime is giving audiences a chance to sample its new drama series The Chi in advance of its Jan. 7 premiere.

The premiere episode of the Lena Waithe-created series is currently available to viewers for free on YouTube, Facebook and SHO.com, as well as via on demand and on computers through the Showtime stand-alone service’s website (www.showtime.com)

The series, executive produced by Waithe (Master of None), Common (Selma) and Elwood Reid (The Bridge, Hawaii Five-O), is a coming of age story centering on a group of residents who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption, said Showtime.

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.