Travel Channel Teams With Sports Illustrated For Swimsuit Special

Travel Channel will provide an inside look at the exotic locales chosen for Sports Illustrated’s popular swimsuit issue as part of a Feb. 17 special.

The Sports Illustrated: The Making of Swimsuit ’13 – 7 Continents, 17 Wonders special will follow the SI photographers as they set up swimsuit fashion shoots across all seven continents, from the ice-covered terrain in Antarctica to the African dunes to the cliffs of Asia, network executives said.

“Hands down, this is the most fantastic armchair adventure you can take this winter," says Laureen Ong, President, Travel Channel in a statement. "We jumped at the chance to partner with Sports Illustrated, knowing our viewers will enjoy this fascinating and exciting travel show packed with extreme backdrops and locations. This is not an hour of just models posing on sandy beaches — this special takes viewers to all seven continents, spotlighting the most magnificent places in the world.”

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.