Clarkson and BBC team up to take Top Gear global
A new business deal signed between the BBC on the one hand and Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson and producer Andy Wilman on the other could see the vast expansion of the Top Gear brand worldwide. The deal involves BBC Worldwide, the international commercial arm of the government-owned television network, taking a majority stake in Badder 6. The latter is a company set up by Clarkson and Wilman two years ago for reasons unknown, but will now act to channel all revenues from the Top Gear brand back to the BBC, Clarkson and Wilman.
The deal is seen as a necessity to keep Clarkson happy so he'll remain on the show amidst offers from competing networks and producers for the world's most famous automotive journalist. Badder 6, which now includes three top-level BBC Worldwide executives, will be responsible for managing the marketing of Top Gear around the world, including the magazine, the original British television program, the new program for the United States undertaken by NBC, an additional new series for Australia, and all related merchandising opportunities. Now reaping the rewards for his efforts, Clarkson will act in a direct capacity as the figurehead for the Top Gear brand around the world. Although the deal did not involve his co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May, the pair are reported to have secured more lucrative deals themselves in light of Clarkson's new arrangement.
[Source: The Guardian via Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Avinash machado 8:35AM (8/14/2008)
Will there be Top Gear editions in other languages also? Wonder how language might affect the chemistry on the show.
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Pdexter 8:35AM (8/14/2008)
Damn i love this blog! F1 news and some TG right after that.
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skooldays 8:53AM (8/14/2008)
I see both BBC Top Gear Stigs are Identified
Who is the stig? Here are the current findings.
New Stig : Julian Bailey
Original Stig : Perry McCarthy
source: http://www.webxact.co.uk/2008/08/both-bbc-top-gear-stigs-identified.html
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catgirlshyla 10:00AM (8/14/2008)
"Original Stig : Perry McCarthy"
*facepalm.jpg* No duh Sherlock, Perry revealed this fact in his autobiography!!
Will 9:27AM (8/14/2008)
Not bad for a guy who had a curly mullet well into the 90's.
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Brian 9:44AM (8/14/2008)
Clarkson is getting uglier at an alarming rate.
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RLQ 5:17PM (8/14/2008)
Its the British food. ;)
f650 9:46AM (8/14/2008)
Good for him, I don't blame him for cashing in while the getting is good.
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Franz 10:43AM (8/14/2008)
You said it.
DaveH 11:25AM (8/14/2008)
The BBC isn't government owned, although is funded through taxation from state legislation.
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jv2k 1:20PM (8/14/2008)
Does this mean Clarkson Top Gear is going to do more cars that aren't available in europe?
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brian 2:48PM (8/14/2008)
Question:
Can anyone else find Top Gear seasons on Bluray? I have been looking everywhere.
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Brad 3:13PM (8/14/2008)
Glad to hear that Hammond and May are also going to get raises. They are also critical parts of the show.
Didn't I hear that Hammond is going to be a reporter for the BBC shen they get F1 coverage next year? Wonder how that will affect his Top Gear duties?
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TigerMil 6:37PM (8/14/2008)
I like Clarkson, but he's not even close to Leno or Letterman.
I wouldn't worry about trying so hard to keep Clarkson; he'll stay. Or not. Who cares.
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Stephen Lee 5:01AM (10/06/2008)
I care. I like the other two hosts very much but without Clarkson, an incredibly entertaining show is dead.
All three together is brilliant chemistry.
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