Showtime Promotes Tom Christie

Showtime has promoted veteran network executive Tom Christie to chief operating officer, the network said Thursday.

Christie, formerly president of distribution, business development and network operations, will have oversight of the network's overall planning and execution of future strategies and new business ventures, according to network officials. He will also continue to lead Showtime’s distribution, sales, affiliate marketing, network operations and new business development teams, as well as the network’s streaming service product group.

 “Tom is an executive of the highest caliber and is one of our key strategic leaders,” said David Nevins, President and CEO, Showtime Networks Inc., to whom Christie reports. “He is central to driving our long term growth as we continue to expand onto new platforms, and we’re thrilled that he will be stepping up his role at Showtime Networks.”

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.