MTV2 Steps Up With New Docu-Series

MTV2 this Sunday (Jan. 31) will premiere Sprite Step Off, a docu-series that chronicles several fraternity and sorority step teams in pursuit of more than $1 million in scholarships.
Hosted by actor hip-hop star Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Sprite Step Off follows six step teams from such fraternities and sororities as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and Zeta Tau Alpha competing in the largest national step team competition in history with a combined prize pool of $1.5 million in scholarship dollars, according to the network.
"This Step competition promises to be the hottest dance challenge to hit college campuses and cities this year," said Chris McCarthy, senior vice president of Strategic Development and Digital TV Networks, MTV in a statement. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Sprite to bring these student performances to television as part of our new original series lineup for MTV2 and to provide a platform for the rich and historic tradition of college stepping."

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.