Top Gear To Go Global While Clarkson Gets A Larger Slice Of The Pie

The BBC has entered into a business partnership with Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson in what is believed to be an unprecedented deal with an on-screen star.

BBC Worldwide, the corporation's commercial arm, has taken a controlling stake in a company set up by Clarkson and Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman, MediaGuardian.co.uk has learned. The BBC is understood to have paid a nominal fee of £100 for the stake.

Clarkson is one of the BBC's highest paid stars and reportedly signed a new deal earlier this year to stay with Top Gear.

It is understood that before he re-signed with the BBC Clarkson was being wooed by both ITV and American Idol creator Simon Fuller.
 

steve27t - 8/14/2008 2:40:26 PM

+11 Boost

Top Gear makes any US motoring show seem like some ass licking contest. Real opinions and criticism and great testing and driving. Also some wild projects, like making stretched limos out of Fiats and Space Shuttles out of a Reliant Robin, priceless. Not affraid to be politically incorrect, refreshing in todays world.

nybimmer - 8/14/2008 3:24:39 PM

+1 Boost

Its easy to be irreverent when the BBC (UK broadcast organization which carries TopGear) is essentially a govt-supported not-for-profit that (I think) doesn't accept advertising.

I'd expect that irreverence to change if TopGear starts being made expressly for the US market. Its one of the many flaws of brining the show over here.

Rupert - 8/15/2008 8:16:26 AM

+2 Boost

Yep, no plugging, advertising, product placement or lobbying allowed on the BBC. Taxpayer funded through the license fee (A TV tax, essentially). It means that on Top Gear, an hour long show, there are no commercial breaks at all.

Larry - 8/14/2008 4:17:08 PM

-16 Boost

top gear could do without Clarkson I don't care for him at all, he sucks with his know it all, false opinions, he is a fraud.

Htay7500 - 8/14/2008 4:45:56 PM

+11 Boost

No other show beats top gear. period.

xj13 - 8/14/2008 10:15:27 PM

+5 Boost

Love top gear and clarkson, a real winner.

nozferatu - 8/15/2008 1:51:17 AM

-4 Boost

Clarkson is a douche...not a journalist NOR a driver.

holmstar - 8/15/2008 8:04:13 AM

+2 Boost

he may be a douche, but he absolutely makes that show. Part of what makes him so good for the show is the fact that he is a bit of a douche.

Lyall - 8/15/2008 10:28:55 AM

+1 Boost

Don't watch him or his show, if you think he's a douche. If anything, his irreverence, informality make his show very approachable and enjoyable. THe American version- now THAT'S a bit of a douche-b.

Carboy - 8/15/2008 11:07:58 AM

+1 Boost

BRING REAL TOP GEAR TO THE WHOLE WORLD!

Star - 8/15/2008 11:50:59 AM

-1 Boost

As a show it rocks, as a source of information it absolutely sucks.

2007Tahoe - 8/16/2008 8:53:04 PM

+2 Boost

@ Larry and nozferatu

I don't even want to imagine what Top Gear would be like without Clarkson... it wouldn't be Top Gear...

OneOfOne - 8/18/2008 8:37:03 PM

+1 Boost

you dont have to imagine since nbc is doing an american version starring adam carolla and 2 other douches.