Banijay’s Bunim/Murray, X Games co-developing competition reality series

X Games in Ventura in 2024

US unscripted producer Bunim/Murray Productions (BMP) is partnering with X Games on a reality competition series marking the 30th anniversary of the action sports event.

X Games Battleground will bring together 30 X Games athletes, including current stars and past champions, to compete in a series of extreme challenges inspired by the history of the games, with all-round female and male champions being crowned at the end.

LA-based BMP, which is behind series including The Challenge (MTV), The Family Stallone (Paramount+) and Vanderpump Villa (Hulu), and X Games are co-developing the format, with the goal of pitching it to potential buyers later this summer.

The first iteration of the X Games was held in Providence, Rhode Island. In the three decades since, it has evolved into one of the world’s leading action sports competitions and brands, with a focus that extends beyond extreme sports into music and other areas.

X Games is led by CEO Jeremy Bloom, who said the series is “part of our strategy to tell deeper athlete stories beyond the field of play and bring fans closer to our athletes.”

For BMP, the announcement of the project comes as its parent company Banijay Entertainment ramps up its focus on sports-related programming following the launch of its Banijay Sports and Banijay Live divisions.

BMP president and CEO Julie Pizzi said: “X Games is the world’s leader in action sports competition, and we’re thrilled to be developing an unscripted series with many of the top X Games athletes that will showcase the fearless, extreme action that fans from across the globe have enjoyed for decades.”