Motoring journalists, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have signed a deal with Amazon. The new show, which is yet unnamed, will begin production and is scheduled to air on Amazon Prime from early 2016.
This announcement brings to an end much speculation about the future of the BBC Top Gear hosts after BBC turned down the renewal of their contract following “unprovoked physical attack” on a Top Gear producer during filming earlier this year.
The contract with Amazon is for a period of three years. Clarkson, May & Hammond will be presenting the new car show while former Top Gear executive Andy Willman, (who also quit BBC following the fracas) is formatting the program and turning it into what could be the most factual automobile TV show.
The new show is to air exclusively on Amazon video streaming platform Amazon Prime. The trio has proven records of streaming video with Top Gear having accounted for 8 out of top 20 most streamed programs on BBC iPlayer last year wherein a single episode was viewed 3.8 million times.
The trio will be part of BBC Top Gear Live shows this summer. This will be their final appearance for Top Gear.Apart from Amazon, Netflix and ITV were also interested in signing the three. But, it was Amazon which managed to strike the deal. According to a report on FT.com, Clarkson, Hammond and May’s deal with Amazon is worth $250 million!!!
We've got a brand new ride. #OnlyOnAmazonPrime #Drive2Prime http://t.co/ebJJAd8gP2 pic.twitter.com/SzBPvPfWTQ
— Amazon Instant Video (@AmazonVideoUK) July 30, 2015
I've got a job I've got a job I've got a job.
Haircut, clean jeans and practice driving again. Forrrrwaaaaaaaard!!
— Richard Hammond (@RichardHammond) July 30, 2015
Good news! I've got a job with @AmazonVideoUK. Bad news! So have the other two. #AmazonPrime #ItSaysHere
— James May (@MrJamesMay) July 30, 2015
