Former Top Gear presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have signed up for a brand new show on Amazon Prime.
Although the cost of the deal hasn’t yet been confirmed, it is believed that the streaming service has made a “significant” investment into the trio, in order to beat the likes of Netflix in winning exclusive rights to the proposed show.
Amazon posted this image onto Instagram with the caption: “The ink is dry and we’re #backonthetrack in 2016”
Commenting on the deal, Clarkson stated: “I feel like I’ve climbed out of a bi-plane and into a spaceship.” Hammond added; “Amazon? Oh yes, I’ve already been there. I got bitten by a bullet ant.” Meanwhile May commented: “We have become part of the new age of smart TV. Ironic, isn’t it?”
The Vice President of Amazon Prime Video EU, Jay Marine also made a statement: “Customers told us they wanted to see the team back on screen, and we are excited to make that happen. Millions of Prime members are already enjoying our ground-breaking original shows. We can’t wait to see what Jeremy, Richard, James and the team will create in what is sure to be one of the most globally anticipated shows of 2016.”
Marine added: “This is a golden age of television, a great time for TV makers and storytellers. Our approach is to give programme makers creative freedom to be innovative and make the shows they want to make.”
Clarkson was axed from the BBC’s hit motoring show earlier this year following a heavily publicised “fracas” with producer, Oisin Tymon. After Clarkson’s dismissal, Hammond and May then also left the show. The BBC have already announced that Chris Evans will be taking the helm of Top Gear, with auditions currently being held for his co-hosts.
The trio will front three series on the streaming service, with the first season to premier worldwide in 2016.
