Netflix, Hulu, ITV in race to sign Top Gear trio
An old media vs new media contest for Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
The race to sign the three former Top Gear hosts for a new automotive-focused series is heading into the final laps, Variety reports.
The US trade publication says it's shaping up as an old media vs new media contest, with UK channel ITV and Netflix in the lead.
Top Gear generated around £145 million revenue for the BBC's commercial arm BBC Worldwide last year, making it easily the broadcaster's most lucrative show.
Hulu — cooperatively owned by several major US networks and studios — is also said to be in the mix. Its premium streaming service, Hulu Plus, already holds rights to the BBC's Top Gear in a number of territories, setting the stage for it to produce a clone.
ITV is the BBC's main free-to-air rival in the UK.
Netflix is easily the largest streaming service worldwide. It recently reported quarterly revenue of $US1.47 billion, up from the year ago quarter's $US1.06 billion (net profit for the three months was $US24 million). The company, which has been aggressively expanding its original series, is said to have offered the former Top Gear trio a multi-year deal.
The final episode of Top Gear featuring the current hosts will screen on June 28, the BBC says.
It was filmed before Mr Clarkson was suspended in March then later sacked for punching a producer during a catering dispute. May and Hammond walked in support, saying the trio were a "package deal".
In January, local rights for Top Gear shifted from Sky TV to MediaWorks.
The BBC has named Chris Evans — a high-profile breafast radio DJ and TV presenter in the UK, if little known elsewhere — to replace Mr Clarkeson as lead presenter. Co-hosts have yet to be named.
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Netflix, Hulu, ITV in race to sign Top Gear trio
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