Amazon Signs the Former Hosts of 'Top Gear' for Its Own Car Show

Episodes will debut in 2016, but you'll need a Prime subscription to watch.
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Lindsay Sakraida
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Contributing Writer

Amazon announced today that former hosts from BBC's very popular car show, Top Gear, have signed on to create a new show for Amazon Video, accessible only to Prime members.

There's no word yet on what format the show will take, or even what its name will be, but Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May will all be present. The show will also feature the same former executive producer as Top Gear, Andy Williams. Episodes for the first season will debut in 2016.

Top Gear itself, however, is still being produced by the BBC, with a new host, radio personality Chris Evans. (This Chris Evans, not this one.) The hosts who are now signed to Amazon's program famously left Top Gear last year after Clarkson had a physical altercation with a BBC producer.

According to The Guardian, Top Gear has been one of the BBC's most valuable shows, so the fact that Amazon is producing a rival show with the very hosts that built Top Gear into the property it is today, is further evidence that Amazon is staking a serious claim in the entertainment world. Today's news has also been surprising, since earlier there had been speculation that the crew would sign with Netflix, not Amazon.

Readers, what do you think of the Top Gear crew joining with Amazon? Will this make you subscribe to Prime? Sound off in the comments below!

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Lindsay Sakraida
Contributing Writer

Lindsay Sakraida specializes in writing about retail trends and lifestyle subjects. She's also obsessed with music, movies, and tennis. Follow her on Twitter at @LinSakraida.
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5 comments
Zifna
I'm torn between wanting more Top Gear and not wanting to support Clarkson's unrepentant horribleness.
August 3, 2015
adnan
they should have gone with netflix now I have to keep my prime membership active for few more years smart move by amazon to gain more prime customers.
July 31, 2015
Ramious1
Top Gear UK is/was one of the best shows on tv and it is all due to this treo. I am very excited to see they will be back together again next year to continue their automotive shenanigans. Thank you Amazon!
July 31, 2015
glager
@boilers - I believe all of their contracts were up. I think they finished shooting that last season but it was not aired. Only Jeremy had an altercation. The others just chose to follow him.
July 30, 2015
boilers
If unhappy prior to their 3 year contract fulfillment, they can always hit another crew member and move to netflix, I suppose. Worked once... why not again? ;)
July 30, 2015