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Purported Legal Hitch Could Postpone New Car Show from Clarkson, Hammond and May

Does anyone know what's written in Jeremy Clarkson’s, Richard Hammond’s and James May’s contracts with the BBC for Top Gear? Nope, nope, nope. Despite this detail, British tabloids report that a clause in Clarkson’s contract could stop him and his mates from striking a new TV deal.
Clarkson, Hammond, and May 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
According to The Mirror’s Mark Jefferies citing a TV source, we’re told that “they [Clarkson, Hammond and May] could make a show for ITV, but not one about cars. A clause stops them leaving and making a [TV] rival [until 2017].” Take this bit on intel with a grai... mountain of salt, then consider that it turns out to be true. What is going to happen to the new car show then?

If we’re to believe every word in the publication’s report, the three amigos have a genius plan B: signing with on-demand Internet streaming media companiy Netflix, which is pushing to expand in the UK and Europe. In an ideal world, the ex-Top Gear presenters aren’t kept on a leash because of a contractual obligation, thus being eligible to sign with British TV network ITV then sell the distribution rights to Netflix.

But we live in a far from ideal world and the truth is nobody knows which company will strike a deal with Jezza, Slow, and the Hamster. One thing is certain though: Jeremy told recently that an official announcement about the new car show will be made “within weeks,” and all we can do until then is keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.

Another solid fact is that three former Top Gear presenters and former executive producer Andy Wilman are currently negotiating with multiple broadcasters, including ITV and Netflix. We’re almost at the end of a waiting game, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves, keep calm and carry on until Jeremy Clarkson announces that all is right with the world.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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