Confirming earlier reports, MTV, Bunim-Murray Productions and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office have officially announced that the network will go into production on The Real World Philadelphia beginning in Spring '04.

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The 15th season of the popular MTV reality series that puts seven strangers in a house and follows them for four months is scheduled to premiere in the Fall '04 with 24 episodes. Additionally, MTV also announced that production will begin on the 13th season of Road Rules, which will send six strangers to Chile and Argentina.

The Real World has ranked number one in its time slot for seven consecutive seasons for 12-34 year-olds vs all basic cable. The latest season, The Real World San Diego, had the most watched Real World premiere episode ever among households and 12-34 year-olds, garnering a 4.5 Persons 12-34 rating, and reached over three million Persons 12-34 viewers. The last season of Road Rules reached over 23 million viewers and historically has been one of the top series in cable among Persons 12-34 (in premieres).

"After 14 seasons, The Real World continues to strike a chord with fans and we're looking forward to filming the next season in Philadelphia," said Lois Curren, Executive Vice President, MTV Series Entertainment. "We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Bunim-Murray Productions."

"We've wanted to bring The Real World to Philadelphia for a while and this opportunity to do it in the spring, when the weather is so nice, makes this the perfect year to do it," said Jon Murray, the show's co-creator and executive producer.

"The Real World has been on our production wish list for years, so we're thrilled that they're finally coming to Philadelphia," said Sharon Pinkenson, Greater Philadelphia Film Office's Executive Director. "We know that MTV will do an amazing job of letting young people see for themselves what a cool city Philadelphia is to live in."

Debuting over a decade ago in New York City, The Real World pioneered reality-based television. Each season, the show brings seven young strangers to live together in a new town and rolls the cameras 24-7, witnessing as their lives intersect, their ideas are challenged, and their passions emerge. Other seasons of The Real World have taken place in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Miami, Boston, Seattle, Hawaii, New Orleans, Chicago, Las Vegas, Paris and San Diego.

The Real World was created for MTV by Jon Murray and Mary-Ellis Bunim of Bunim-Murray Productions and Jon Murray serves as the executive producer for both. Tracy Chaplin is the supervising producer of Real World Philadelphia. Drew Tappon and Jacquelyn French are executives in charge of production.