Fremantle Media North America, the producers of hits including Fox's "American Idol" and "X Factor," have signed an exclusive multi-year overall deal with Matt Kunitz, the creator of ABC's "Wipeout" and executive producer of NBC's "Fear Factor."
Kunitz wil develop and produce new, original unscripted programming, said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, the CEO of FremantleMedia North America.
"We are thrilled to partner with Matt who has such an unprecedented track record of producing shows that families can watch together," she said. "We are anxious to create big, broad entertainment shows with Matt and give them the kind of support and global infrastructure that we are confident FremantleMedia can provide."
The deal ends Kunitz's 12-year relationship with Endemol USA. He will be joined at Fremantle by Rebecca Shumsky Quinn, who will serve as his development executive.
Kunitz joined MTV’s "The Real World" for the show's second season in 1993 and quickly rose to become its show runner. He is represented by Greg Lipstone of ICM and attorney David Tenzer.
