Clarkson's three-year contract with Amazon put at $US46m
Top Gear host lands on his feet.
The Top Gear trio's three-year, 36-episode deal with Amazon is worth $US250 million, according to the UK's Financial Times.
Sacked BBC host Jeremy Clarkson, along with James May and Richard Hammond, will appear in a new car show to be produced for Amazon's Prime video streaming service (which is not available in New Zealand, opening the way for a local rights bunfight between free-to-air and streaming services).
A separate report by the Telegraph says Mr Clarkson will earn roughly $US46 million over the life of the contract.
The paper says the Amazon show will have a budget of around $US7 million a episode compared to about $US1.5 million for Top Gear on the BBC.
Prior to his dismissal, Clarkson had spent nearly three decades with the BBC as a host on “Top Gear” and is credited with being the driving force behind the show’s explosive international success.
In June, the BBC introduced radio DJ Chris Evans as the new front man for “Top Gear.” As a result, the 23rd season of the “Top Gear” will most likely feature a lineup of all-new hosts and be the first to not feature Jeremy Clarkson since 2000. Clarkson made his first appearance on “Top Gear” in 1988 and presided over the show’s transformation from an automotive news magazine to its current entertainment-centric format.
With more than 350 million weekly viewers, “Top Gear” set the Guinness World Record as the most watched factual TV program in the world. In addition to the UK show, the “Top Gear” brand includes numerous international spinoffs, a live stadium tour, merchandising, a successful magazine, and a website.
In January, local rights for Top Gear shifted from Sky TV to MediaWorks.
Top Gear generated around £145 million ($US223 million) revenue for the BBC's commercial arm BBC Worldwide last year, making it easily the broadcaster's most lucrative show.
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Clarkson's three-year contract with Amazon put at $US46m
51081