ITV Top Gear format left stillborn after BBC blocks Clarkson
A putative ITV motoring show starring ex Top gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond has fallen at the first hurdle after the BBC blocked Clarkson from jumping ship to a British rival.
The public sector broadcaster inserted a two-year exclusivity clause into its contract with Clarkson, curtailing his ability to compete directly against his former employer – although it would still leave him free to partner with online channels such as Netflix or Amazon.
First reported in the Daily Mirror it is believed that Clarkson held high-level talks with Peter Fincham, ITV’s director of television, with this knowledge in mind – indicating that he may be willing to pursue a non-motoring programme for the broadcaster.
A source familiar with the matter was quoted in the Mirror as saying: “Basically they could make a show for ITV, but not one about cars. It means Netflix or Amazon are favourites to sign up the team. There is a feeling that if they wait two years it gives Chris Evans a chance to get his new Top Gear show off and running. They hope to make up their minds soon. ITV has made them a great offer.”
The latest twists and turns in the Top Gear saga leave Netflix as the prime contender to secure Clarkson’s talents as host of a rival programme to the BBC’s Chris Evans-led reboot.