TCA16: Netflix Greenlights Animated Motown Project

Netflix has greenlit a Motown-themed animated series targeted to kids and families, the network said during its Television Critics Association summer tour.

The untitled series revolves around eight-year old living in the imaginary city of Motown discovers he has the extraordinary ability to bring street-art to life.

Legendary Motown artist Smokey Robinson will serve as the executive music producer for the show, which will feature the words and melodies of the Detroit-based music franchise’s classic songs.   

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.