UP Greenlights ‘Bringing Up Bates’ Reality Series

UP network will launch a new reality series in January that follows the exploits of a family with 19 children.

The 13-episode series, Bringing Up Bates, premieres Jan. 1 and focuses in on the everyday life of the close knit, Tennessee-based Bates family with 19 children and their new grandchild, said network officials.

Bringing Up Bates will be the second reality series focused on a family with 19 or more children following TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting series.

UP Entertainment will produce the series along with Figure 8 Films.  Bill Hayes, Kirk Streb and Matthew Hightower will serve as executive Producers for the series. 

“Bringing Up Bates lets us look in on the daily lifestyle of a wonderful, loving family – that happens to be larger than most – and that has experiences we can relate to and some that are very unexpected,” said  Charley Humbard, president and CEO of UP in a statement. “This series fits perfectly with UP’s brand promise to always uplift and entertain viewers and it represents the latest example of our commitment to produce original series, movies and specials for the whole family.” 

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.