It's officially "The Challenge" season. Season 40, "Battle of the Eras," which makes history as the first-ever season of the MTV hit with all returning players, debuts on MTV Wednesday, August 14, and may be the most intense — and emotional — yet. For those who have been there since the beginning — "The Challenge" launched as "Road Rules: All Stars" in 1998 then changed to "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" the following year — it's been a surreal journey. "I’m...
Bunim/Murray Productions / 51 Minds
Julie
Pizzi
President
The challenge facing Bunim/Murray and 51 Minds president Pizzi? Keeping those two production companies competitive as the unscripted marketplace hits several road blocks. Costs are up, buyers are pulling back, ownership is an issue and labor issues are impacting the reality biz. But Pizzi leads two of the most prolific labels in the biz (both owned by French media giant Banijay), and both continue to produce some of the most popular shows in unscripted. Bunim/Murray’s juggernaut “The Challenge” (which evolved out of the company’s signature “The Real World”) just hit its 40th edition, and has been turned into four different versions for multiple networks. The shingle also launched “Vanderpump Villa,” its first show for Hulu, and brought back “The Family Stallone” for a second season. 51 Minds is behind the “Below Deck” franchise — which continues to be a ratings powerhouse, also spawning multiple editions. And it’s eyeing a return of Flavor Flav’s “Flavor of Love.” Challenge accepted.