Great news for Jeremy Clarkson fans – the former Top Gear host is back, with Richard Hammond and James May. The trio have signed up for a new motor show on Amazon Prime, Amazon’s video streaming service.
I feel like I’ve climbed out of a biplane and into a spaceship.
— Jeremy Clarkson
Amazon? Oh yes. I have already been there. I got bitten by a bullet ant.
— Richard Hammond
We have become part of the new age of smart TV. Ironic, isn’t it.
— James May
Amazon reportedly beat Netflix to the deal.
The show will be accessible via Amazon prime in the US, UK, Austria and Germany. What about other countries? The WSJ reports, “Amazon can also license rights to the show to broadcasters or streaming services in other territories around the world where Prime video isn’t available.”
Clarkson was fired by BBC in March after he punched a producer during an off-set altercation. The show’s two other hosts also left soon afterwards. The incident threatened the future of one of BBC’s most popular shows, and biggest international earners. Clarkson’s brash, cocky persona contributed towards a large part of Top Gear’s appeal.
Meanwhile, BBC had announced last month that radio and TV personality Chris Evans has signed a three-year deal to lead a new line-up for Top Gear.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)