Have the financial crisis hit TV? TopGear subject to massive budget cuts

According to various european news sources, BBC have slashed TopGear budgets by a third. This means that we will see fewer of the pieces which have made TopGear so popular. The beeb has chosen to do so because of smaller budgets and to try and force the show onto a more mainstream path closer to other car shows.

This isn't the first time BBC has tried to change TopGear. Last time was after Richard Hammonds jetcar crash. But due to massive protests from viewers and fans, BBC dropped their plans.

The big question here is, will TopGear be able to survive without their outrageous contests and races which have made the show so popular throughout the world? Only time will tell.

veyron1001 - 12/30/2008 4:54:59 PM

+6 Boost

THe last time I checked Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagaini, Koenigsegg, Gumpert, Noble, Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Maserati do not suck.

veyron1001 - 12/30/2008 4:49:00 PM

+2 Boost

Would this equate to more episodes a year? Like 20-24? If that was the case then I would agree.

WorldofLuxury - 12/30/2008 9:35:52 PM

+2 Boost

I think this has happened before - that is if the gang weren't messing around.

sadly...can't really say if that episode was good at all.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/1/2009 2:37:21 AM

+1 Boost

Not nearly as bad. The Lacetti/Forenza was developed by Daewoo. It's sold as a Daewoo in some markets, a Chevy in others, and oddly enough a Suzuki in the US. The Cruze is probably going to be the best small car from GM, ever. Developed by Chevy--Euro Chevy if I'm not mistaken. It looks very Euro to me.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/1/2009 2:38:06 AM

+1 Boost

Lacetti = Daewoo

Cruze = Chevy

holmstar - 12/31/2008 11:36:40 AM

+1 Boost

I bet that not much will change. There will still be crazy contests (1000 GBP * 3 is not that much), but now they will be held locally instead of someplace like Africa. The automakers loan the cars for the advertising value, so there is no reason to believe those will go away. I have no idea of the cost of their awesome cinematography / editing, I'd guess its somewhat expensive, but it is a core part of the show, so I doubt they would give it up. However we probably won't see so many b-car soccer matches.

sold2early - 12/31/2008 8:25:42 PM

+1 Boost

They could save money with 1/64 scale diecast cars instead of the real thing. I'm sure nobody would mind. They could even build a miniature version of their test track!