Showtime Acquires Kings of Leon Documentary

By R. Thomas Umstead
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

Showtime Wednesday announced it has acquired the rights to a documentary chronicling the rise of rock group Kings of Leon.

Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon will debut Aug. 21 on the pay TV channel and higlights the Grammy-award winning rock group's ascension from their rebellious beginnings to worldwide musical acclaim, network officials said.

The documentary, which premiered this spring at the Tribeca Film Festival, weaves personal home videos, unedited interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the band's journey from their small-town beginnings -- spent in poverty and touring the Bible Belt with their father, a Pentecostal evangelist minister, and their devout mother -- to living the rock star dream.

R. Thomas Umstead
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.