Syfy Renews ‘Total Blackout'

Syfy Monday announced it has renewed its reality competition series Total Blackout for a second season.
The series, in which contestants battle each other and their fears in a series of challenges played in complete darkness, averaged 1.2 million total viewers during its freshman run this past Spring, as well as 673,000 adults 25-54 and 648,000 adults 18-49, according to network officials.
The series, hosted by Jaleel White (Family Matters), will debut is second season Nov. 13, said the network.

"By skillfully using contestants' own imaginations against them, Total Blackout has become a compelling new hit, and a great addition to our growing slate of unscripted programming," said Mark Stern, President, Original Content, Syfy, and Co-Head Original Content, Universal Cable Productions in a statement. "We're excited to be back in business with Jaleel White, and to see the new challenges Fremantle and their producers will cook up for the new season of this funny and offbeat series."

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.