 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2016) |
 Logo used since 2021 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founders | |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Owner | Banijay Entertainment |
| Parent | Banijay Americas |
| Website | www |
| Footnotes / references [1] | |
Bunim/Murray Productions is an American entertainment production company based out of Glendale, California and owned by French television media conglomerate Banijay Entertainment since 25 March 2010.[2] Considered as a pioneer in the reality television genre with local hit programs like The Real World, Road Rules and Bad Girls Club, it was founded in 1987 by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray after an agent named Mark Itkin of the William Morris Agency put the two together to develop a scripted soap opera for MTV. When that was too expensive, they decided to try an unscripted soap and The Real World was born. "We knew within 20 minutes of shooting that we had a show," Bunim said.[3] The company has expanded into music management, managing the pop punk/emo band A Cursive Memory.
The company's initial success was on the creation of The Real World. Attempts at scripted series, including Jam Bay, a show that would have co-produced with Universal Television for ABC, never went past the pilot stage.[4] On June 28, 1999, the company attempted to enter into the syndication business, by planning on to partner with Columbia TriStar Television Distribution to launch a reality strip Love Hurts.[5] In 2001, Bunim/Murray partnered with Artists Television Group, on the unaired WB television show Lost in the USA, but it was cancelled and it was hit with a $1 million lawsuit.[6] On December 16, 2002, the company announced that they would partner with film studio New Line Cinema on the company's only theatrical project, The Real Cancun.[7]
- ^ "Bunim Murray". Bunim/Murray. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (25 March 2010). "Bunim-Murray acquired by Banijay; 'Real World' producer bought out by French co". Daily Variety. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ Albiniak, Paige (2 February 2004). "Real World Creator Bunim Dies at 57". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "U TV stays committed to drama". Variety. 1995-05-01. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
- ^ Schlosser, Joe (1999-06-28). "The skinny on syndie" (PDF). Broadcasting. p. 6. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
- ^ Shprintz, Janet; Schneider, Michael (2001-09-30). "WB sues Ovitz's ATG over 'Lost' $1 million". Variety. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (2002-12-17). "New Line takes a 'Break'". Variety. Retrieved 2021-12-22.