Bunim/Murray scouring Israel for formats

Bunim/Murray has inked a first-look deal with Israel’s The Operating Room and is looking for Israeli formats it can bring to the US.

The Banijay-owned US production company makes shows including Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Project Runway and is looking for unscripted formats that will work in the US market.

“We’re looking forward to pairing The Operating Room’s fresh, original reality formats with Bunim/Murray’s expertise in creating some of America’s most enduring and popular reality shows,” said Gil Goldschein, President of Bunim/Murray Productions.

“Knowing Israel’s incredible pool of talent, the recent successes we have seen in both scripted and unscripted formats are only the tip of the iceberg,” said Oded Turgeman, president/director of The Operating Room. “We are excited about Israel’s entertainment content and talent and believe Israel has the potential to become as well known for entertainment as it is now for high-tech innovation.”

The agreement gives Bunim/Murray the opportunity to take The Operating Room formats to the US and tap into local production talent.

A raft of Israeli formats have travelled outside of the country in recent times. NBC recently picked up Armoza’s gameshow format Still Standing.

However, most of the Israeli exports have been scripted series. US cable net Showtime is making a local version of Hatufim, which will be known as Homeland in the US and star Clare Danes. HBO is remaking Israeli format The Naked Truth after striking a deal with Armoza Formats and Lionsgate and ABC is remaking Matar’s Tall and Greebaum.