We didn’t just launch a genre.
We transformed modern
storytelling.
Groundbreaking. Unprecedented. Human. Since 1987, TV networks and viewers have come to Bunim Murray Productions for authentic, real human storytelling. Because when innovation is baked into the very core of who you are . . . when you invented reality TV itself . . . when your body of work continues to expand across TV, film, documentaries, digital, and social platforms . . . there’s only one question left to answer. What’s next?

Breaking ground is what we do best.
First unscripted series — The Real World
First unscripted reality sitcom — The Simple Life
First reality soap opera — Starting Over
Most viewed original Snapchat Series — Endless Summer

Most viewed Facebook Watch Series — Ball In The Family
Longest running series on MTV — The Challenge
Lifetime’s best-performing unscripted series in three years across all key demos, including Adults aged 18-49, and on social with over 740,000 interactions — Surviving R. Kelly
#1 rated show on E! — Keeping Up With The Kardashians
USA’s top debut for an unscripted series in eight years — Miz and Mrs.
Cable’s Biggest Unscripted Launch of the Year and E!’s Most-Watched Series Debut in over a decade — I Am Cait
Creating content.
Making history.
Winning awards.
Over the past two decades, BMP has been busy.
See for yourself.
3,555
hours of
programming
(and counting)
7
iconic series with
at least 10 seasons
85
Emmy®
nominations
Awards/Recognitions
-
Lizzo's Watch Out For The Big Grrrls
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Competition Program -
Lizzo's Watch Out For The Big Grrrls
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Director For A Reality Program -
Lizzo's Watch Out For The Big Grrrls
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Picture Editing For A Structured Reality or Competition Program
-
Lizzo's Watch Out For The Big Grrrls
Emmy®️ Nomination
Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera) -
Lizzo's Watch Out For The Big Grrrls
Emmy®️ Nomination
Outstanding Casting For A Reality Program -
Lizzo's Watch Out For The Big Grrrls
Emmy®️ Nomination
Outstanding Cinematography For A Reality Program
-
Bunim/ Murray Productions
Critics Choice RealTV Awards
Best Unstructured Series -
Lizzo's Watch Out For The Big Grrrls
Critics Choice RealTV Awards
Best Competition Series: Talent/ Variety -
The Real World Homecoming: New Orleans
Critics Choice RealTV Awards
Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscipted Series
-
The Real World Homecoming: New Orleans
Critics Choice RealTV Awards
Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Production
-
Born This Way
Webby Award
Video Series & Channels: Reality Category
-
Surviving R. Kelly
Realscreen Award
Non-Fiction - Social Issues & Current Affairs Program -
Born This Way
Realscreen Award
Diversity & Inclusion -
Surviving R. Kelly
Peabody Award
Documentary
-
Surviving R. Kelly
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Informational Series or Special -
Surviving R. Kelly
Critics Choice RealTV Award
Limited Documentary Series -
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing For An Unstructured Reality Program
-
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program -
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Casting For A Reality Program -
Born This Way
Critics Choice RealTV Award
Unstructured Series
-
Born This Way
Realscreen Award
Reality: Docureality -
Valerie's Home Cooking
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Culinary Host -
Valerie's Home Cooking
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Culinary Program
-
Born This Way
Realscreen Award
Award of Excellence: Reality
-
Jonathan Murray
Legacy Award at the RealScreen Summit 2018
-
Born This Way / Sasha Alpert
Artios Award
Reality Series Casting (Casting Society of America) -
Keeping Up With The Kardashians
MTV Movie & TV Award nomination
Best Reality Series
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program -
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Cinematography For A Reality Program -
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing For An Unstructured Reality Program
-
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program -
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program -
Ball in the Family
The Webby People's Voice Award
Film/Video - Reality
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program -
Bill Nye Saves the World
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Production Design for a Variety, Reality Or Reality- Competition Series -
Valerie's Home Cooking
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Culinary Program
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program
-
Born This Way
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Cinematography For A Reality Program - "Dream Come True" -
Born This Way
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured or Competition Reality Program - "Finale, Part 2"
-
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program -
Project Runway
Realscreen Award
Competition - Lifestyle -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured or Competition Reality Program - "An Unconventional Launch Party"
-
They Call Us Monsters
Independent Lens
Audience Award -
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing For An Unstructured Reality Program - "Oh Baby!" -
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing For An Unstructured Reality Program - "The Times They Are A'Changin"
-
Born This Way
Critics Choice RealTV Award
Best Unstructured Reality Show -
Bill Nye Saves the World
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Production Design for a Variety, Reality Or Reality- Competition Series -
Bill Nye Saves the World
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Cinematography For a Reality Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
-
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing For An Unstructured Reality Program - "Don't Limit Me" -
Born This Way
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing For An Unstructured Reality Program - "Up Syndrome" -
Born This Way
Television Academy
Honoree
-
Born This Way
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program -
I Am Cait
GLADD Award Winner
Outstanding Reality TV Show -
I Am Cait
TCA Nomination
Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming
-
They Call Us Monsters
Las Vegas Film Festival
Best Documentary
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program -
Project Runway All Stars
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming -
I Am Cait
NATPE Reality Breakthrough nomination
Docu-Soap
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Cinematography For a Reality Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
-
Valentine Road
Cinema Eye Honors Awards Nomination
Spotlight Award -
Valentine Road
Emmy®️ nomination - News & Documentary
Best documentary -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming -
Valentine Road
Emmy®️ nomination - News & Documentary
Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing News Story – Long Form -
Valentine Road
GLAAD Award Nomination
Outstanding Documentary
-
Valentine Road
Emmy®️ nomination - News & Documentary
Outstanding Coverage of a Current News Story – Long Form -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Cinematography For a Reality Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program
-
Valentine Road
Out On Film
Best Documentary -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming - "A Times Square Aniversary Party" -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Cinematography For a Reality Program
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming - "Europe, Here We Come" -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
-
Project Runway
Realscreen Award
Best Competition/Lifestyle Programming -
LookBook
CINE
Golden Eagle Award -
Valentine Road
Sundance Film Festival
Grand Jury Prize: Documentary
-
Valentine Road
Sheffield International Documentary Festival
Audience Award – Top 10 films -
Valentine Road
San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
Best Documentary -
Valentine Road
Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
Jury Prize
-
Valentine Road
Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
First Time Documentary Director – Marta Cunningham -
Valentine Road
Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
Jury Award: Best Documentary -
Valentine Road
Miami Film Festival
Grand Jury Prize: Knight Documentary
-
Valentine Road
Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival
Jury Prize – Best Documentary
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming -
Project Runway
Realscreen Award
Best Music
-
Project Runway
Realscreen Award
Best Competition/Lifestyle Programming -
BME Digital - The Controller: Battlefield 3
CINE
Golden Eagle Award -
Mary-Ellis Bunim & Jonathan Murray
Television Academy
Hall of Fame Inductees
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Cinematography For a Reality Program
-
Jonathan Murray
Realscreen
Inducted into Realscreen’s Factual Entertainment Hall of Fame -
Project Runway
GLAAD Award
Best Reality Show -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program -
Pedro
GLAAD Media Award nomination
Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series
-
Pedro
Writer’s Guild of America Award for Television nomination
Long Form - Original
-
Jonathan Murray
Fox Reality Channel Really Awards
Legend Award -
Keeping Up With The Kardashians
Fox Reality Channel Really Awards
Best Docu-Series -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program
-
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Picture Editing for Reality Programming -
Project Runway
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming
-
Autism: The Musical
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Sound Editing for Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera) -
Autism: The Musical
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Nonfiction Special -
Autism: The Musical
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Cinematography For Nonfiction Programming
-
Autism: The Musical
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Audience Award Winner – Best Documentary Feature -
Autism: The Musical
Cinequest San Jose Film Festival
Award Winner – Best Documentary -
Autism: The Musical
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming
-
Autism: The Musical
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming -
Autism: The Musical
Rochester High Falls International Film Festival
Trophy Winner – Documentary
-
Autism: The Musical
Newport International Film Festival
Audience Award Winner: Documentary -
Autism: The Musical
Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival
People’s Choice Award – Best Documentary -
Starting Over
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Special Class Series
-
Starting Over
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Editing -
Bad Girls Club
PRISM Award commendation
Episode 103 -
The Real World: Key West
PRISM Award commendation
-
Autism: The Musical
Mill Valley Film Festival
Award Winner
-
The Real World: Austin
PRISM Award commendation
Episode 1609 -
Starting Over
PRISM Award commendation
Episodes 2161-2163 -
Starting Over
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Editing
-
Starting Over
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Special Class Series -
Bunim Murray Entertainment
PRISM Award
Diversity Award
-
Starting Over
PRISM Award commendation
Episodes 1188, 1189, 1190 -
The Real World: Philadelphia
GLAAD Award
Outstanding Reality Program -
Starting Over
Emmy®️ Winner
Outstanding Special Class Series
-
Starting Over
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Achievement in Multiple Camera Editing -
The Real World: Philadelphia
PRISM Award commendation
Episode 1509
-
The Real World: Paris
PRISM Award commendation
Episode 1302 -
Starting Over
PRISM Award commendation
Episodes 1003/1030/1055
-
The Real World: Chicago
PRISM Award commendation
Episode 1115 -
Mary-Ellis Bunim & Jonathan Murray
LAMDA
Legal Award
-
The Real World: Back to New York
PRISM Award commendation
Episode 1016
-
Road Rules: Maximum Velocity Tour
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (Special Class) (Area Award) -
The Real World: New Orleans
PRISM Award commendation
Episodes 911, 903
-
The Real World: Hawaii
TV Guide Award
Favorite Reality TV -
Mary-Ellis Bunim & Jonathan Murray
GLAAD Award
3rd Annual Fairness Award -
The Real World
Emmy®️ nomination
Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction Programming- Picture Editing
-
The Real World: New Orleans
New York Festivals
Bronze World Medal (Television-Drama-Series) -
Road Rules: Semester at Sea
Genesis Award
-
Road Rules: Islands
PRISM Award
Certificate of Merits - Episode 407 -
The Real World: Boston
PRISM Award commendation
Episode 619 -
The Real World: Boston
PRISM Award
Certificate of Merits - Episode 605
Real heart for real voices
We want everyone to be heard. Everyone.
Pedro Zamora was one of the first openly gay, HIV-positive stars on TV, and one of our most popular housemates on The Real World.
BMP followed Caitlyn Jenner on a quest to live as her authentic self, while shining a light on the trans community in I Am Cait.
Citizen Rose documented Rose McGowan’s #MeToo advocacy, becoming the first program to publicly out Harvey Weinstein.
Explore a Snapchat series that documents the real world coming-of-age stories of teen drag queens across the country in Growing Up Is A Drag.
Autism: The Musical told the story of a musical that was written and performed by five kids on the autism spectrum. All to raise awareness for this modern epidemic.
Born This Way followed seven young people living with Down syndrome. And not just living, but thriving. America watched as the cast chased dreams, overcame obstacles, and defied society’s expectations.
Inclusivity means everything. Breaking barriers. Shattering stigmas. America watched as these predominantly deaf families navigated raising kids in a hearing world in Deaf Out Loud.
Surviving R. Kelly gave sexual abuse survivors of the popular R&B singer a platform. After the show, formal charges were brought against Kelly in February 2019.
Over two decades
of epic milestones
Summer 1987
Company founders Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray joined forces for the first time. Forming a bond that would go on to change the way stories are told.
Winter 1991
MTV wanted to launch a soap opera, so Bunim and Murray pitched an alternative–a serial drama that combined the elements of a soap opera and a documentary. That, ladies and gentlemen, became the recipe for what’s recognized today as reality TV genre.
Jun. 1992
Seven strangers moved into a house and The Real World (and reality TV) was born. The show followed the lives of a diverse, vibrant, and often at odds group of young people. In the decades since, the series cemented itself within the world’s cultural DNA.
Jul. 1995
After inventing an entirely new genre, Bunim and Murry’s company–Bunim Murray Productions (BMP)–began to push its own boundaries. Road Rules, an innovative reality game show, launched as The Real World’s sister series.
Apr. 2003
BMP produced Real Cancun–the first reality movie. This first foray into reality filmmaking laid the groundwork for more films to come.
Sep. 2003
BMP kept pushing what it meant to be reality TV with Starting Over. This reality soap opera told powerful human stories and was unlike anything on TV.
Dec. 2003
The Simple Life debuted. The reality sitcom became a cultural phenomenon as stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie explored rural America.
Jan. 2004
BMP co-founder Mary-Ellis Bunim passed away. Her leadership and vision still guide the company’s mission to this day.
Mar. 2007
Fueled by a continued passion for authentic storytelling BMP launched Bunim Murray Films. The group’s first film, Autism: The Musical, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim.
Oct. 2007
BMP introduced America to its new first family of reality TV: the Kardashians. Keeping Up With the Kardashians began airing and made stars out of more than just lead sister, Kim, with the rest of the family becoming household names and pop culture icons.
Sep. 2008
Bunim Murray Film’s first scripted feature, Pedro, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.
Mar. 2010
BMP joined the Banijay group of companies.
Jan. 2012
Jonathan Murray and the late Mary-Ellis Bunim were inducted into the Television Academy of Arts & Science’s Hall of Fame.
Mar. 2011
Gil Goldschien was elevated to President in March 2011 having served as COO for four years running the Bunim/Murray business. Prior to COO, he served as General Counsel, negotiating an unprecedented number of development and production deals.
Apr. 2015
Co-founder Jonathan Murray stepped down as Chairman and CEO to focus on producing. The baton was passed to BMP vet Gil Goldschein.
Aug. 2017
The BMP original show, Ball In The Family, launched as the #1 show on Facebook Watch, with over 26 million viewers.
Sep. 2019
Endless Summer premiered on Snapchat. The social media outlet’s Chief Business Officer reported that the BMP-produced show was viewed by 28 million people.
April 2020
The Challenge Season 35 premiered with one of Its highest ratings ever.
May 2020
BMP partnered with Snapchat and the Los Angeles Unified School District to launch a virtual book club to help keep high school-aged students connected to learning while campuses remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2020
Surviving R. Kelly won a Peabody Award.
July 2020
The Challenge was renewed for a 36th season making it the longest-running reality TV franchise and helping MTV maintain its spot as the #1 cable network among P18-34
February 2021
Julie Pizzi elevated from President, Entertainment and Development to President of BMP
Join the team.
Bunim Murray Productions is always looking for the best of the best to help us stay on top of the game. Check out our open positions.