Cheetah Power Returning to Disney

Disney Channel will develop a sequel to its popular original movie, The Cheetah Girls, to air next summer.

The yet-to-be-titled movie will feature the original Cheetah Girls stars, including Raven (That’s So Raven).

The 2003 original movie -- about four multitalented New York girls seeking to start their own successful music group -- generated a 4.6 Nielsen Media Research rating for Disney.

The announcement came on the heels of the network’s decision to renew live-action series That’s So Raven for a fourth season. As part of the deal -- which will give the comedy series 100 episodes -- Disney will produce an original That’s SoRaven feature movie.

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.