Disney XD Orders LeBron James Series

Disney XD has teamed with NBA star LeBron James to produce a series featuring inspiring athlete profiles.

The half-hour, ESPN Films-produced series, Becoming, will premiere on the boys-targeted network later this year and will feature extraordinary stories of athletes from around the world. James, who was featured in the pilot episode of the series that aired on Disney XD this past October, will serve as executive producer of the series, said network officials.

"We are thrilled to continue working with ESPN Films and LeBron James on Becoming,” Marc Buhaj, senior vice president, programming and general manager for Disney XD said in a statement “This unique sports-focused series gives our worldwide audiences the inspiring and entertaining personal stories from some of the biggest athletes in the world."

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.